On February 4, 2004, The American Heart Association (AHA) announced new guidelines to help women prevent CVD. Lori Mosca, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. is the chair of the writing group that published the report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association and director of preventive cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Mosca wants women to understand that CVD develops over time and that every woman is capable of developing it.
The type of prevention used for each person should depend on her risk of getting a heart attack over the next 10 years. This risk can be determined by each woman’s health care provider. Some measures of prevention, such as aspirin therapy, are only for high-risk individuals. But lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, are recommended for all women, in order to keep their hearts healthy and strong.
In addition to these lifestyle changes, it is also important for high-risk women to help lower their cholesterol with medication. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Certain drugs to prevent stroke are also discussed in the report.
The guidelines are divided into three classes, based on the strength of recommendation for women of different risk. Class I includes the strongest recommendations. Class II includes general recommendations that can benefit everyone. Class III interestingly outlines therapies or medications that do not prevent CVD and that may even be harmful.
Have your health care provider explain to you in full all of the AHA’s new prevention guidelines. He/she can determine your risk. Your health care provider, along with a diabetes educator and your pharmacist can help you make the necessary lifestyle changes and begin the appropriate medication regimens that will keep your heart as vibrant as you are.
