Just a moment we're going
to talk about a fun event
that's happening on Friday.
But there's a reason for it,
and it's serious.
The statistics are still startling.
Heart disease is still the leading
cause of death for women in the
United States and this Friday
we're doing something about it.
CBS Eight has partnered with
the American Heart Association.
Where the go red for women luncheon.
It's this Friday at the US Grant hotel.
Today we have Tamika Williams from
the American Heart Association,
along with Doctor Marine Nishimura.
Cardiologist with Sharp HealthCare ladies.
First of all, thank you so much for
joining us right here on the form.
We appreciate your time.
Thank you for having us.
We're looking forward to the luncheon
because finally we are back in person for
this event and it's an important one.
Let's talk about your involvement
with the American Heart Association.
Why is this a role you wanted to step into?
Well,
you know the Heart Association
has been a part of my life
for probably 15 years now.
Just from family history of heart disease.
Stroke I think it's very important
from a color from a woman of color.
Also because we do have, you know,
a higher disproportionate share of women
of color and communities underserved
that are impacted by heart disease.
So just trying to get the education
and also impacting lives by ensuring
that we have raised the funds heart,
heart, heart associations.
You know, amazing work on raising
funds to really save lives in our
community and in San Diego community.
So it's very important from that aspect.
I'm gonna be. I was chosen to be the.
See for the event for the
luncheon this Friday,
which I'm honored to do that,
but one of the things that I have learned,
Doctor Nishimura is that women's heart
attack symptoms are very different
from what a man can experience.
Can you talk about that for a moment?
What should women be looking out for?
Yeah, exactly. So there are some several
important differences when it comes to
heart disease between men and women,
and one of which is symptoms.
So I have taken care of numerous women
who are presented with heart attack
in the emergency room and a lot of
times they don't have chest pain.
Some of the more atypical,
unusual symptoms that they might
have include shortness of breath,
shoulder pain, neck pain, jaw pain,
or just profound fatigue or stomach pain.
And again, they might not even
have chest pain,
so if you have risk factors like
high blood pressure or cholesterol or
family history of heart attack and
you're developing these new symptoms,
you definitely have to talk
to your doctor about it.
Well, the one thing that women do,
and I'm just as guilty as probably
the rest of us about this,
is that I tend to put my own health
on the back burner and the last place
that I really wanna go right now.
Just to an emergency room and that doctor
can really get people into trouble fast.
Definitely knowing the signs and
symptoms and knowing your numbers.
You also talked about we were chatting
in the green room right before this
interview that you have actually had
close family members and friends go
through the scare of this happening.
Yes, actually you've had actually my
sister in law recently had a mini stroke.
She's only 4344 years old and I think
that's what's very important that
younger women and women of color don't
realize that the threat that they have.
I'm related to heart disease
and the impact it can have,
and so the healthy lifestyle.
Eating well, exercising,
I mean simple things we can do to
prevent these things from happening,
and I think it's very important for
us getting that message out from a
HealthEquity perspective in our communities.
So glad your sister in law is on
the mend, but Doctor Nishimura,
for women of all ages what should
be numbers that we are mindful
of when we go to the doctor
for maybe our annual checkup?
What tests should we be asking for?
No matter how old you are
from your 20s to your 80s?
Yeah, so the. One big issue is that
women are unaware of the fact that heart
disease is a major killer of women.
Is a number one killer of women
and also doctors alike are unaware
of the fact that heart disease
is an important thing in women.
So the numbers and the risk factors
that you should be targeting or blood
pressure definitely less than 140
/ 90 sometimes less than 130 / 80
the top number of being systolic,
lower number being diastolic,
the cholesterol numbers.
There is a good and the bad cholesterol
number when you're going through the numbers,
make sure to ask your doctor about
what your numbers are and also obesity.
BMI two can give you an idea of
where you are in terms of weight.
I know on the launch of this Friday
folks are gonna have an opportunity
to ask you some questions.
You'll be there to answer
some of their concerns.
What else can people expect if they're to
come join us at the luncheon on Friday?
Well, we'll be in person that's so exciting.
Yes yes. Finally, also, we'll
have some survivors telling their
story of how you know, really.
The heart associations work
has impacted their lives,
and in addition will be providing
education just on you know,
all of the great work the
Heart Association's doing
in the San Diego community,
and in ways that others can get involved.
Help really drive the work in to
save more lives here in San Diego.
Would love to have women and men
join us at the luncheon again.
It's this Friday.
I'll share some information with our viewers.
If you would like to join us,
please do the go red for
women luncheon is this Friday,
April 29th is that the US Grant hotel
downtown For more information go to
sdgoredheart.org ladies.
Thank you so much.
I'm looking forward to celebrating
life with you on Friday. Thank
you. Thank you so much. Thank you.