Do you know your risk of heart disease?
Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of Women

Every adult woman regardless of age should know her personal risk of developing cardiovascular disease such as a heart attack or stroke over her lifetime. Since this is a largely preventable disease, assessing your risk periodically throughout your lifetime is the first step to preventing this deadly and debilitating disease. So, how do you know your risk?

Start by reviewing the following statements:

1. I have a family history of heart disease (under age 65).
2. I have high blood pressure or have had some readings greater than 120/80.
3. I have diabetes or have had a high fasting blood sugar at some time in my life (including during pregnancy).
4. I have high cholesterol or triglycerides or have never had my fasting cholesterol checked.
5. I use tobacco products or am exposed to 2nd hand smoke.
6. I exercise less than three times a week.
7. I have a high stress lifestyle.
8. I am at least 20 lbs overweight.
9. I have symptoms of chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness or fatigue.
10. I have a high C-reactive protein or have never had it checked.

If you answered one or more of these questions “yes” or do not know the answers to the questions strongly consider one of the risk assessment options listed below offered by The Lakeside Woman’s Hospital.

“A Woman’s Heart” Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

If it is time for you to have your cholesterol rechecked or you have never had it checked, consider this option. This program offers more risk assessment than a cholesterol profile alone, including a cardio-CRP, limited ultrasounds of blood vessels and calculation of your actual risk score over your lifetime. It is appropriate for any age.

“CardioGold” A Woman’s Comprehensive
Cardiovascular Evaluation

If you are considering making lifestyle changes to become more “heart healthy” or want a complete cardiovascular evaluation and assessment of your lifetime risk, consider this option. Since a large number of tests are provided at a significant discount, this may be appropriate for you since insurance often does not cover screening, risk assessment, prevention and consultation unless you have already been diagnosed with a cardiovascular problem, thus missing your best opportunity for prevention. This program can be completed at any age but may be most helpful after the age of 35.

This program is the only one of its kind being offered to the women of Oklahoma, according to Board Certified Cardiologist, Pamela Craven, M.D., of Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates, (Oklahoma’s largest organized group of cardio specialists). “We created the program because we felt the need for a more comprehensive approach to evaluating and educating women about their risks associated with heart disease,” said Dr. Craven. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States.

Kelley Brewer, C.E.O of Lakeside Women’s Hospital, worked closely with Dr. Craven to
develop the Cardio Gold program. “The program uses the latest in technology combined
with expert analysis by a board certified cardiologist, physical trainer, nutritional expert
and behavioral health expert to provide the patient with the best possible knowledge of
their current cardiovascular health,” said Brewer. “The program also provides the patient
with the most up to date information needed to prevent heart disease, or if already
present, control and effectively treat it.”

Board Certified Cardiologist, Pam Craven, M.D., provides several examples of how
many of the current screening and education methods have failed. “When a 48 year old
secretary presented to the ER with a heart attack one week after a normal CT scan for
coronary calcium scoring I realized screening for heart disease in women was not
enough,” said Dr. Craven. “Women need risk assessment with multiple tests and a
comprehensive search for factors that help predict the immediate and lifetime risks for
heart attack and stroke. CardioGold is that type of evaluation. This assessment looks at
the blood vessels in your heart, neck and abdomen for signs of early changes that might
cause a heart attack or stroke. It looks at laboratory tests associated with a risk for
cardiovascular disease. A few of the other tests included in CardioGold are an ECG and a
treadmill test. Expert analysis of lifestyle issues including stress, nutrition and physical
conditioning are also performed. All this information is then analyzed to determine the
patient’s immediate and lifetime risks, and to make recommendations for lowering risks.
This type of evaluation can mean the difference between becoming a victim of
cardiovascular disease or becoming a heart healthy success.”

“An example of our failure to properly educate women about their risk for heart disease,
and how to recognize its symptoms include a 60-year old school teacher who stayed at
home with chest pain (off and on) for 3 days thinking it was indigestion. She had suffered
a major heart attack, said Dr. Craven. “She did not think she could have a heart attack
because her cholesterol was normal, she exercised regularly and tried to eat healthy.
What risks factors might have been found if she had undergone a complete evaluation? It
turns out there were probably several things that could have alerted her to her risks and
could have been changed possibly saving her a heart attack.”

Cardio Gold, requires a full day of participation and includes the following test, evaluations and consults:

• “Heart View”, CT scan for Coronary Calcification
• Comprehensive Cardiac Blood Analysis
• Physical Exam
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound
• Complete 2-D Echocardiogram
• Complete Carotid Artery Ultrasound
• Ankle-Brachial Indices (ABIs)
• Exercise Stress Test
• Board Certified Cardiologist Consultation
• Physical Conditioning Analysis
• Nutritional Analysis
• Lifestyle Consultation for Stress and Wellness

At the end of the evaluation the cardiologist reviews the results with the patient and
provides a comprehensive summary of their risk for cardiovascular disease and current
cardiovascular health. The summary also includes appropriate recommendations for
prevention and treatment for use by the patient’s personal physician.

“Cardio Gold is not inexpensive, however, the cost of the many tests, evaluations and
consults conducted separately would cost much more than our current fee,” said Dr.
Craven. “Our goal is to create a program that will be the benchmark of cardiovascular
evaluations for women, and begin to reduce the number of deaths each year created by
this terrible killer. This evaluation is highly recommended for women with a family
history of cardiovascular disease.”

Edmond, Oklahoma Cardiologist,, Pamela Carven, M.D., F.A.C.C., received her
Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma College of
Pharmacy and her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Oklahoma College
of Medicine. Dr. Craven sees patients at Lakeside Women’s Hospital and other area
hospitals. She is board certified in Cardiology and Nuclear Cardiology and is a Fellow in
the American College of Cardiology. She has a special interest in the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women.

Information can be provided so that patients can submit the cost of this program to their
insurance company for payment. Cardio Gold is conducted at Lakeside’s Northshore
office located in the Hefner Pointe Health and Business Complex, N. Portland Ave and
Hefner Road. To find our more about Cardio Gold, A Woman’s Comprehensive
Cardiovascular Evaluation or to schedule an appointment women may call (405) 604-
4460

Cardiology Consultation

If you are having symptoms of cardiovascular disease or have already identified you are at significant risk for heart disease, discuss the option of referral for consultation and testing with your physician.