February, 2012 Volume 5, Issue 2
Inside this Issue
1 Youth Garden Minsitries and St. Francis de Sales
2 Reverend Moses O. Taiw, Ph.D.
2 Our Community and Advocate Good Shepherd Events
3 Medical Corner , Raymond Kawasaki, M.D.
4 Volunteer, Fitness Tip, Sharing Statistics, The Chapel is Always Open
February 2012 ● Volume 5, Issue 2 ● Connections● (847) 381-9600 ext. 26 5062
St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lake Zurich, Illinois, is continually breaking new ground with The Jubilee Garden. The Jubilee Garden guided by the skillful giving efforts of parishioner Kathy Gill. This parish project is dedicated to growing vegetables to provide fresh produce for local food pantries. Although sponsored by St. Francis de Sales, the Jubilee Garden requires substantial community involvement to be successful. In early summer, Chaplain Suzanne Martinez, with the support of Good Shepherd Hospital, committed to helping the Jubilee Garden through establishing youth garden ministries in surrounding Catholic communities. Chaplain Suzanne’s initiative focuses on the Jubilee Garden as a model. The central concept is to develop a garden ministry template that can be readily applied to other communities. The garden initiative’s objectives are to feed the needy, increase spirituality among participants, and educate people on the benefits of healthy eating.
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Office for Mission and Spiritual Care
450 W. Illinois Highway 22
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone:
(847)381-9600 ext. 26 5062
Fax: (847) 842-4098
Email:
As a result of this effort, Chris Semmel, High School Youth Minister, and Joan Roth, Ministry Leader, spearheaded the establishment this summer of the first “satellite” Jubilee Garden Youth Ministry at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Cary. This group of about ten high school girls continues to gather in the gardening off-season on a monthly basis. In Mid-December, the group visited the Jubilee Garden to bring prayer cards, gathering afterwards to discuss making veggie markers and plot signs. In January, they conducted a Bake Sale for the benefit of the Jubilee Garden. In February, at Good Shepherd they will attend an educational segment on cooking and eating healthy with garden vegetables and learn of the nutritional benefits. And in March they will start growing seedlings for spring planting.
Wonderfully, God continues to grow us as a community, in all seasons, to help serve His people in need.
To find out more about the new “satellite” youth garden ministry initiative, come explore the Jubilee Garden on line at stfrancisdesalesjubileegarden.weebly.com.
Youth Garden Ministries
February 2012 ● Volume 5, Issue 2 ● Connections● (847) 381-9600 ext. 26 5062
Reverend Moses Oladele Taiwo is an ACPE Associate Supervisor and Staff Chaplain in the department of Mission and Spiritual Care, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. Reverend Taiwo is a Board Certified Chaplain in the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). Reverend Taiwo was ordained by the Michigan Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and endorsed by the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) of the General Conference of the SDA Church, Headquarters, Silver Springs, MD. Rev. Taiwo was originally from Nigeria, and served as a seminary pastor and professor for ten years at Babcock University (defunct Adventist Seminary of West Africa) prior to his coming to the United States in 1997 to do a doctoral study in New Testament at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. He successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation entitled, "Paul's Apparent Reversal of Concern for the Weak Brother in I Corinthians 10:29b-30," in 2002.
Our Community and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Events
Congregational Health Partnership Seminar Schedule 2012—Save the Date!!
(Click on the above link for details!)
Community HealthBeat- Winter Series 2012 (Click on the above link for details!)
Rev. Moses O. Taiwo, Ph.D. ACPE Associate Supervisor, Clinical Pastoral Education
Prior to his joining Advocate Good Shepherd, Reverend Taiwo served as a Staff Chaplain Supervisor at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, a Level 1 Trauma Center, since 2005. In the process, he joined a CPE Supervisory training program at the center and became certified as an Associate Supervisor. His interests include visual imaging, African Spirituality, and the power of transformational learning. Reverend Taiwo will be responsible for the development of Clinical Pastoral Education program at Good Shepherd. Clinical Pastoral Education prepares men and women for institutional chaplaincy work.
Reverend Taiwo has a gift of ministry of presence as he works in clinic with patients, their families,, and the staff. Reverend Taiwo is married and with three children. Reverend Taiwo loves reading and gardening at his free time.
Office for Mission and Spiritual Care
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Welcome Announcement
Our Community and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Events
NOTHING TOO COMMON: An exploration of Celtic Spirituality in Ireland and Scotland April 11 – 23, 2012 Informational meetings will be held on Thursday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 16, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, and on Sunday, November 20, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm - all at the First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson Street, Crystal Lake. For more information, contact Budd Friend-Jones (815-461-6010, [email protected].
(First Congregational Church, Crystal Lake-Trip)
(Click on the above link for details!)
Page 2
Page 3 February 2012 ● Volume 5, Issue 2 ● Connections● (847) 381-9600 ext. 26 5062
5062
Medical Corner
Don’t Ignore The Electrical System of the Heart By, Raymond Kawasaki, M.D. Electrophysiology Cardiologist
February is Heart Month, and it’s a good time to remind patients and each other about the importance of watching our diets, exercise and the dangers of artery-clogging cholesterol. Those are affectionately referred to in the medical field as “lifestyle issues.” Diet, exercise and saturated fat intake in many respects are things that we can control ourselves, and that’s why it’s important to take the time to make people aware of them.
They contribute to the build-up of hardened plaque on the walls of our blood vessels. Eventually, that build-up can lead to having one’s blood flow to the heart blocked completely which triggers a heart attack. It’s not unlike what happens in a home when gunk and junk is put down a sink, causing the drain to clog. That brings me to idea that many cardiac specialists look at the heart in the same way as we do our houses – with plumbing and electrical systems being equally important.
Certainly those plumbing issues within our control in our homes and our own bodies are important, but as a cardiologist with an electrophysiology specialty, I’d like to take this opportunity to bring awareness to the critical importance of our heart’s electrical system.
A common and potentially dangerous abnormality in the heart is known as atrial fibrillation. Millions of Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation, with symptoms that include rapid palpitation, dizziness, and even black-outs. More serious circumstances can include stroke and potentially, heart failure. Atrial fibrillation results when abnormal electrical impulses from the nervous system cause the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) to beat entirely out of rhythm.
Atrial fibrillation is truly an electrical problem that can be described in the simplest terms as a shorting out of the heart, and cardiac electro-physiologists strive to help patients resolve this rhythm disorder.
Any interventional treatment involving the heart is a serious matter. These days however, it’s not uncommon to know a friend or family member who undergone an angioplasty procedure to clear a blocked blood vessel. That’s a plumbing issue.
To remedy atrial fibrillation, cardiologists employ a complex catheterization procedure known as circumferential pulmonary vein ablation, or CPVA.
And, while millions of Americans suffer from irregular heartbeat issues like atrial fibrillation, CPVA is not a procedure that is necessarily a routine proposition we hear regularly about. There are a couple of reasons for that. First, patients may misinterpret their symptoms as panic attacks, dizziness or rationalize them as something else entirely, and ignore being seen by a physician. The other reason is that the high-end electrophysiology facilities and equipment necessary for such procedures aren’t commonly found at most hospitals.
Suffering from atrial fibrillation can be an unnerving and stressful on a daily basis. To demystify how we treat it, I’d begin by saying that we often start with trying medications. If they’re unsuccessful in controlling a patient’s heartbeat, we discuss options with the patient and his family.
Once CPVA is determined to be the best option, we start with a high resolution CT scan of the heart. The images captured are then fed into a three-dimensional electrophysiology mapping system, allowing us to look at the upper left heart chamber from every possible angle.
We identify the source of the “short-circuiting,” and head into the catheterization lab. The patient is sedated, but not entirely unconscious. Hair-thin wires are sent up to the heart through a vein in the patient’s leg, and passed through to the left atrium. The end of the catheter uses radio frequency (RF) energy, not unlike a kitchen’s microwave, to stop the troublesome, misfiring nerves by cauterizing – also called ablating – the isolated areas. The CPVA is not a quick fix procedure, but in selected patients, cure rates may be as high as 70-80%. Some require that the treatment be repeated in order to ensure that the defect is resolved permanently. The first CPVA procedures for Lake and McHenry County patients were accomplished at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in 2006, with countless other patients since then having new chances for a heart-healthy life. Raymond Kawasaki, MD is a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital’s Kocourek Family Cardiac Care Center.
Speak from your Heart….Give of yourself….
VOLUNTEER! February, the month to demonstrate your love – and what better way to show you care than to give of your time and talent by volunteering? Volunteering is good for your heart in more than one way; it gets a person up and engaged in activity away from the sofa and the refrigerator – especially important at this time of year when it’s harder to stay active! It can also help your stress level (and therefore your heart) to focus attention on others in need while volunteering rather than on your own worries. As an added benefit you will meet other people who are generous of heart when you volunteer at Good Shepherd Hospital …maybe even a sweetheart♥. It wouldn’t be the first time love blossomed when folks met through a good cause. Mature, active adults are especially needed right now in a variety of assignments. We need information desk volunteers, Gift Shop helpers, Education assistants, and several other areas. If you can give us afternoon or evening each week, you would be loved! Contact the Volunteer Services Department at 847-381-0123, extension 265093 or drop in for an application to get involved. Do your heart a favor!
Good Shepherd The Chapel is always open…
Office for Mission and Spiritual Care
Page 4 February 2012 ● Volume 5, Issue 2 ● Connections● (847) 381-9600 ext. 26 5062
Web Site: www.advocatehealth.com/gshp
Editor: Chaplain Suzanne Martinez
Connections Advisory Committee:
Sue Abderholden Ro Ostergaard
Pastor Jeannie Hanson Ilene Steiner
Julie Mayer Fr. Jim Swarthout
Julie Zuidema
This publication may be copied for use by individuals with printed acknowledgment of the source.
Fitness Tip Staff: The Reverend Frederick Rajan, Vice President Reverend Digna Campanano, Staff Chaplain Rabbi Jodie Futornick, BCC, Staff Chaplain Chaplain Suzanne “Sam” Martinez, Staff Chaplain, Hispanic Liaison And Congregational Coordinator, Reverend Moses O. Taiwo, Ph.D. ACPE Associate Supervisor, Clinical Pastoral Education Linda DeGrazia, Secretary
On-Call Staff Chaplain Liz Fjortoft Chaplain Judy Freda Chaplain Kathleen Milone Chaplain Michael Monteleone Chaplain David Orth The Reverend Tom Tews Chaplain Wendy Wasilewski Chaplain Catherine Watkins Phil Surdynski
Spiritual Welcome Volunteers Don Andler May Lou Anderson Jane Busse Char Campbell Josette Carpenter Lee Hoffing Mary Hoffing Lou Petersen Donnaruth Schaul Carol Svoboda Carol Troka Bob Wilkans Eileen Zeplin
Green Tea Sparks Your Metabolism Green tea has had more than its fair share of good press lately, with several studies touting its protective effect against heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and tumors. Now a new, albeit small, study out of Switzerland reports that green tea may have the power to raise metabolic rates, speed up fat oxidation and help people lose weight. Ten healthy men consumed either green tea extract, which contains 50 milligrams of
caffeine, 50 milligrams of caffeine alone, or no caffeine at all. Only the group that consumed the green tea extract showed any increase in metabolic rate. Researchers suspect that the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, along with the caffeine, are responsible for its higher fat-burning effects.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 1999
February is American American Heart Month
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, for males, for females and for most ethnic groups. Heart disease accounts for about one in four deaths in the US. Someone in the United States dies from a heart disease-related event every minute. About 12 percent of the US citizens have heart disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that heart disease will cost the United States more than $300 billion dollars in health care services, medication and lost productivity.
Coronary heart disease, which often leads to heart attacks, is prevalent among 3.5% of the residents who are 18 years or older in Illinois, a rate slightly lower than the 3.7% prevalence in the US.
The risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure and cholesterol are frequently out of control among many in the United States. To be sure that you are informed and are effectively managing your risk factors, please visit your doctor regularly. If you would like to participate in a free “heart age screening” on 2/18 or 2/25 or would like to attend a free lecture on “Women and Heart Disease” on 2/21 from 6:30- 8pm, please call 847-842-2988 for more information.
Sharing Statistics …. To empower you, inspire you and to keep you informed.
If you need a physician, please contact 1-800-3ADVOCATE to find a physician.
Psalm 51 10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Connections - Advocate Health Care Office for Mission and Spiritual Care Spring 2012 - Page 1
Advance care planning (ACP) begins with exploring and understanding your personal goals and core values so that future health care decisions – should you become unable to make those decisions yourself – align with your beliefs.
At its best, ACP includes a discussion of those goals with the person who represents your preferences for you (your surrogate or agent) and a written plan that clearly and accurately represents them (advance directive).
Choose your surrogate thoughtfully. He/she can be your spouse, an adult child (not necessarily your eldest), a sibling or a close friend. Choose someone you trust with your health care decisions who will respect your wishes and put them into action regardless of his/her own attitudes. Your surrogate needs be prepared to make these
decisions and act during a stressful, difficult time. He/she deserves to know this up front. Not everyone wants this responsibility.
Discuss your wishes in detail until your surrogate fully understands them. The conversation may cover types of medications and treatments you desire, the care you do and don’t want if you are seriously ill or injured and your concerns about end-of-life issues. You may also want to talk about funeral plans. Share with your family who your surrogate is, and explain to them that he/she does not have any power unless you are unable to make health care decisions for yourself.
Begin before ACP is needed. Don't wait for a medical crisis to make decisions about advance care planning. Make decisions while you are able to process information easily and are not under pressure to make hard choices right away.
Many people are unaware of their end-of-life preferences regarding medical treatment simply because they haven’t taken the time to consider them, but once they do, their personal values and spiritual beliefs often lead them smoothly through the process. (Clergy can clarify ethical decisions for people of faith.)
Continued on next page.
Advance care planning (ACP) glossaryAdvance care planning – All communication – both oral and written – that contributes to building a personal plan of your wishes for your future medical care.
Advance directive – A written statement telling how you want your medical decisions to be made in the future if you are unable to make them for yourself. ADs may include:
• Power of attorney for health care – You name someone (a surrogate or agent) to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. (Power of attorney, different from power of attorney for health care, deals with financial decisions and is not empowered to make health care decisions on your behalf.)
• Living will – Directs your physician and indicates your wishes about death-delaying procedures. Not a Last Will and Testament. It applies only when you have a terminal illness from which your doctor thinks you cannot recover and you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
• Do not resuscitate order (DNR) – A medical treatment order saying that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will not be used if your heart and/or breathing stops. This form also requires a physician’s signature.
A brief history of advance directives (ADs)
1967 – Chicago attorney Luis Kutner suggested the first living will to facilitate the rights of dying people to control decisions about their own medical care.
1968 – Living will legislation presented to a state legislature. The Florida bill failed to pass in 1968 and again in 1973.
1976 – The Karen Quinlan Case raised awareness of right to privacy and appointment of surrogates as end-of-life decision-makers. The concept of an ethics committee was introduced.
1976 – California established rights of patients and surrogates to forego life-sustaining treatments through a written document.
1977 – Forty-three states considered living will legislation; seven states passed bills.
1980s – Legal rulings applied right to forgo treatment to more routine treatments, based on benefits and burdens to individual.
1990 – U.S. Supreme Court’s Nancy Cruzan decision supported an individual’s right to refuse treatment, even life-sustaining.
1991 – The House of Representatives passed the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) that requires hospitals ask patients being admitted if they have or wish to have ADs.
1992 – All states passed legislation legalizing some form of ADs.
Understanding advance care planning
April 16th
National Healthcare Decision Day
Connections - Advocate Health Care Office for Mission and Spiritual Care Spring 2012 - Page 2
Advocate Health CareAdvocate Health Care Facilities:
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak LawnAdvocate Condell Medical Center, LibertyvilleAdvocate Eureka Hospital, EurekaAdvocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers GroveAdvocate Good Shepherd Hospital, BarringtonAdvocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, ChicagoAdvocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park RidgeAdvocate South Suburban Hospital, Hazel CrestAdvocate Trinity Hospital, Chicago
Children’s hospitals:Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, Oak LawnAdvocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital, Park Ridge
Share the news! This publication may be copied for use by others if printed acknowledgment of source is included.
Looking for a previous issue? To read back issues of Connections, please go to: advocatehealth.com/newsletters
Forms can lead into conversations. Basic forms are readily available to complete the living will and health care power of attorney, two frequently used documents. The forms themselves can serve as excellent starting points for conversation. But there is so much more to ACP than simply filling out forms! After all, these are very important decisions, so both knowing your own mind and expressing your specific preferences are critical.
Sometimes these conversations are uncomfortable. Discussing your beliefs and values is personal, and strong emotions often
erupt, touching on deep feelings and exposing fears you may want to avoid. But taking the necessary time, working through complex
issues and talking with loved ones about your true wishes is, in fact, an essential part of good care. Not only does it leave your family feeling relieved because they are following your wishes, ACP also ensures respect for your well-being and your right to self-determination.
Preparation is comforting. A family is comforted when they have direction. For some families, forgoing treatment becomes an act of caring. For other families, continuing treatment (perhaps based on cultural or religious beliefs) comforts them because they know it is consistent with their loved one’s wishes.
Guessing a person’s preferences without knowing them can be torture to a family. Families face difficult decisions when ill loved ones become unable to communicate their preferences regarding medical procedures. Dedicated children and siblings can become distraught trying to guess what a loved one might want, and well-meaning relatives seeking to do what’s right may disagree because of lack of concrete direction.
If you become critically ill, are unable to speak for yourself and have not named an agent, Illinois provides guidance for physicians to determine a surrogate for you. This person may or may not be the one you would choose and is less empowered to make decisions than one you have chosen yourself.
Statutory short formIllinois has revised its form for power of attorney for health care. It is a little longer than the previous form, has a few organizational changes and includes more legal jargon.
One of the significant changes is the inclusion of the phrase, “in accordance with reasonable medical standards” as relates to
life-sustaining/death delaying options. With this phrase, the agent who has power of attorney for health care can reflect on what would be beneficial to the patient. If a procedure or treatment does not seem reasonable, the agent can, in good conscience, elect not to use it.
How ACP happens. After considering your wishes, you can complete the AD forms on your own (forms are readily available on line; see Resources above) or with guidance from your faith leader, doctor or trusted advisor. This can be done without a lawyer, but the forms do need to be signed by witnesses. GIve copies to your loved ones and physician.
At Advocate hospitals, each patient is asked at admission if he/she has an AD or wishes information about one. Our chaplains are trained to discuss these decisions compassionately with patients.
Faith leaders themselves sometimes lead a general information session about ACP for their congregants and introduce them to the AD forms. They follow that up with individual conversations and further guidance for those who so wish. This personal touch often removes the barriers to completing advance directives.
Our chaplains can also give congregations presentations on ACP. (For information, call 630.990.5650.)
Continued from previous page.
Resources for ACP• Fivewishes.org (Aging with Dignity – Five Wishes)
• Abanet.org/aging/toolkit (ABA tool kit for ACP)
• www.Idph.state.il.us/public/books/advin.htm
• Isms.org (Illinois State Medical Society)
• aarp.org/families/end_life (AARP - Information on caregiving, long-term care, wills, end-of-life, grief support)
• Cecc.info (Chicago End-of-Life Care Coalition)
• ACP International Conference, Donald E. Stephens Convention Centre, Rosemont, IL, May 31 – June 2.
• Respectingchoices.org (How to develop an ACP program)
• Advocatehealth.com
There is so much more to ACP than simply
filling out forms!
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onde
rful
pl
aces
for
child
ren
with
spe
cial
nee
ds to
find
val
idat
ion
and
for
thei
r pa
rent
s to
get
sup
port
.
1-12
Janu
ary
– B
irth
Def
ects
Pr
even
tion
M
onth
Res
ourc
es: c
dc.g
ov/p
regn
ancy
• je
wis
hgen
etic
scen
ter.o
rg •
eas
ylea
rnge
netic
s.ne
t•
Dat
abas
es o
f int
eres
t: D
ieta
rysu
pple
men
ts.n
lm.n
ih.g
ov/d
ieta
ry;
hous
ehol
dpro
duct
s.nl
m.n
ih.g
ov/p
rodu
cts.
htm
The
Coo
k C
ount
y D
epar
tmen
t of P
ublic
Hea
lth h
as o
utst
andi
ng p
rese
ntat
ions
for
grou
ps o
n th
is to
pic.
If y
ou a
re in
tere
sted
con
tact
Jean
ne T
aver
ne a
t 708
-786
-405
4.
Pray
er:
Dea
r G
od, b
e w
ith p
aren
ts w
ho le
arn
thei
r ch
ildre
n w
ill h
ave
spec
ial c
halle
nges
. Hel
p th
em s
eek
supp
ort f
rom
a
lovi
ng c
omm
unity
. Car
e fo
r th
ose
who
wor
k so
har
d to
trea
t an
d pr
even
t birt
h de
fect
s. A
men
.
Prac
tica
l Gui
de t
o th
e H
ealt
h C
are
Syst
em:
The
bene
fits
of h
avin
g a
med
ical
hom
eM
any
peop
le h
ave
a us
ual s
ourc
e fo
r he
alth
car
e. T
hey
go to
th
is s
ourc
e w
hene
ver
they
hav
e ne
w h
ealth
pro
blem
s, n
eed
prev
entiv
e ca
re o
r se
ek r
ecom
men
datio
ns fo
r re
ferr
als.
Esta
blis
hing
an
ongo
ing
rela
tions
hip
with
a p
hysi
cian
is w
ise.
Se
lect
ing
a do
ctor
whe
n yo
u ar
e in
urg
ent n
eed
of c
are
can
be
exha
ustin
g, fr
ustr
atin
g an
d ov
erw
helm
ing.
A d
octo
r w
ho k
now
s yo
u be
caus
e he
/she
has
see
n yo
u ov
er
the
cour
se o
f sev
eral
yea
rs h
as a
kno
wle
dge
of y
ou th
at is
far
mor
e th
an s
kin
deep
. Tha
t phy
sici
an h
as in
sigh
ts in
to y
our
exis
ting
cond
ition
s, y
our
hist
ory
and
your
per
sona
lity.
He/
she
has
a ba
selin
e of
kno
wle
dge
that
is b
oth
obje
ctiv
e an
d su
bjec
tive.
Tha
t doc
tor
know
s w
hat i
s no
rmal
for
you
and
wha
t is
abno
rmal
for
you,
how
muc
h st
ress
you
exp
erie
nce
in
your
wor
k, th
e dy
nam
ics
of y
our
fam
ily a
nd h
ow to
bes
t wor
k w
ith y
ou to
impr
ove
your
wel
l-be
ing.
Hav
ing
a re
gula
r ph
ysic
ian
has
a be
nefic
ial e
ffect
on
man
y he
alth
car
e se
rvic
es, i
nclu
ding
pre
vent
ive
serv
ices
for
child
ren
and
redu
ctio
ns in
hos
pita
l use
am
ong
patie
nts
with
chr
onic
pr
oble
ms.
Dia
betic
s w
ho h
ad s
tand
ing
rela
tions
hips
with
thei
r do
ctor
s w
ere
mor
e lik
ely
to fo
llow
a d
iabe
tic d
iet,
mon
itor
thei
r su
gars
and
rec
eive
rec
omm
ende
d pr
even
tive
exam
s.
Ove
r tim
e, d
eep
trus
t dev
elop
s be
twee
n do
ctor
and
pat
ient
. H
ones
t ans
wer
s –
even
to h
ard
ques
tions
– b
ecom
e ea
sier
to
spea
k. C
omm
unic
atin
g ab
out p
ain
and
need
s be
com
es le
ss
awkw
ard.
Sha
me
disa
ppea
rs.
A d
octo
r w
ho k
now
s th
e pa
tient
wel
l ser
ves
the
patie
nt b
est.
Sim
ply
havi
ng a
n on
goin
g re
latio
nshi
p w
ith a
phy
sici
an c
an
mea
n gr
eate
r w
elln
ess
for
you
and
your
love
d on
es.
Res
ourc
es:
1-80
0-3-
AD
VO
CAT
E or
Adv
ocat
ehea
lth.c
om •
find
ahea
lthce
nter
.hrs
a.go
v
Com
ing
in M
arch
: H
ow to
sel
ect a
prim
ary
care
phy
sici
an
Wom
en a
nd h
eart
att
acks
We’
ve k
now
n fo
r a
whi
le th
at m
en a
re fr
om M
ars
and
wom
en
are
from
Ven
us, b
ut w
e ar
e ju
st n
ow le
arni
ng th
at th
e se
xes
are
diffe
rent
in a
noth
er r
espe
ct: h
ow th
ey e
xper
ienc
e he
art a
ttack
s.
A w
oman
’s sy
mpt
oms
of h
eart
atta
ck c
an b
e dr
amat
ical
ly
diffe
rent
from
a m
an’s
and,
in fa
ct, l
ess
dram
atic
. Per
haps
this
is
the
reas
on w
omen
hav
e m
ore
unre
cogn
ized
hea
rt a
ttack
s th
an
men
and
are
mor
e of
ten
mis
diag
nose
d in
ED
s an
d se
nt h
ome!
Bot
h se
xes
ofte
n ex
peri
ence
thes
e sy
mpt
oms
of h
eart
atta
ck:
✦Pr
essu
re o
r a
sque
ezin
g pa
in in
the
cent
er o
f the
che
st w
hich
m
ay s
prea
d to
the
neck
, sho
ulde
r or
jaw
✦Li
ght-
head
edne
ss, f
aint
ing,
sw
eatin
g, n
ause
a or
sho
rtne
ss o
f bre
ath
Man
y w
omen
– 4
3% o
f the
m, i
n fa
ct –
nev
er
expe
rien
ce a
cute
che
st p
ain
duri
ng a
hea
rt
atta
ck. M
any
do h
ave
shor
tnes
s of
bre
ath,
but
they
m
ay a
lso
expe
rien
ce u
nexp
lain
ed fa
tigue
or
pres
sure
in
the
low
er c
hest
whi
ch c
an b
e m
ista
ken
as a
sto
mac
h pr
oble
m.
Unu
sual
fatig
ue, n
ause
a, d
izzi
ness
, dis
com
fort
that
feel
s lik
e in
dige
stio
n, b
ack
pain
– th
ese
sym
ptom
s ar
e no
t unc
omm
on fo
r a
wom
an h
avin
g a
hear
t atta
ck. I
t’s a
lso
wor
th n
otin
g th
at s
ome
wom
en –
abo
ut s
ix w
eeks
bef
ore
the
actu
al h
eart
atta
ck –
hav
e sh
ortn
ess
of b
reat
h, u
nexp
lain
ed fa
tigue
or
stom
ach
pain
as
an
earl
y w
arni
ng s
ign
that
they
mig
ht h
ave
a bl
ocke
d ar
tery
.
If yo
u be
lieve
you
're
havi
ng a
hea
rt a
ttack
sym
ptom
, dia
l 911
im
med
iate
ly fo
r an
am
bula
nce
to ta
ke y
ou to
the
ED.
2-12
Febr
uary
–
Am
eric
an
Hea
rt M
onth
Res
ourc
es: A
dvoc
ateh
ealth
.com
• W
omen
hear
t.org
• w
ww
.nhl
bi.n
ih.g
ov/h
ealth
/pu
blic
/hea
rt/o
ther
/hhw
/hdb
k_w
mn.
pdf (
The
Hea
lthy
Hea
rt H
andb
ook
for W
omen
) •
heal
thie
rchi
cago
.org
(Liv
eWel
l Nat
iona
l Con
fere
nce,
hos
ted
by B
uild
ing
a H
ealth
ier
Chi
cago
, Hya
tt R
egen
cy C
hica
go, J
une
6 -
7) •
kno
wyo
urnu
mbe
rs.c
om/h
eart
/ad
voca
te.h
tml
Pray
er:
Dea
r Lo
rd, w
e w
ear
red
this
mon
th to
hon
or th
e he
arts
of
the
wom
en in
our
live
s: m
othe
rs, g
rand
mot
hers
, sis
ters
, dau
ghte
rs, c
o-w
orke
rs a
nd fr
iend
s. B
e w
ith th
em e
ach
and
ever
y da
y. A
men
.