October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - but it is also a time to address heart disease as well. Many women see just one doctor each year, an ObGyn. Don’t neglect your heart when you make your visit this year!
While you are there ask to have your cholesterol and blood sugar evaluated. Ask specifically what your blood pressure reading (The Busy Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Heart can help you understand what these numbers mean)
Not only can a mammogram detect early breast cancer, but it could also predict early heart disease!
Along with detecting a lump, mammograms can also detect calcium deposits in the blood vessels of the breast, an indicator of early heart disease. Calcium deposits detected on mammograms correlated to a significantly increased risk of stroke, according to research.
What does this mean? Not only are mammograms an essential tool for diagnosing breast cancer but also they can be a useful in screening for heart disease and stroke as well. “It’s beautiful that you can start to pick up the risk on the mammogram,” said Arvind Ahuja, a neurosurgeon and co-director of the stroke center at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “(The mammogram) can serve two purposes.”
What should you do?
Have regular mammograms. Surprisingly, only half the women who should have annual mammograms actually get them—even when their insurance pays for them. Having previous tests to compare can be essential in picking up small changes. Talk to your doctor to determine how often you should be screened.
Ask your doctor specifically if your mammogram shows calcium deposits in the blood vessels of your breast, it may not be something he or she is in the habit of reporting.
Schedule a cardiac and stroke screening if you do have deposits and discuss ways to decrease your risk.
Women who have had open-heart surgery or other surgery in the chest area need to be especially consistent with mammograms because scar tissue can mask a lump. Even if you are not at the recommended age, discuss with your doctor the need to have a yearly mammogram to be safe. Scars and increased sensitivity may make a mammogram more challenging; discuss these issues with the mammogram technician before you begin. If you have an implanted device, such as a pace maker or internal defibrillator, make sure the technician understands the compression must be done slowly and cautiously so as not to dislodge the leads.
If you are scheduled to have chest surgery get a mammogram first if possible. “It is a good idea to have the mammogram before surgery to get a good baseline and then have 12 months to heal before you have the next one,” cautions Mellanie True Hills, founder of the American Foundation for Women’s Health. “The thought of having to deal with a mammogram within three to six months after surgery is frightening.”
If you are 40 or older and haven’t had mammogram in the last 24 months, call your doctor and schedule an appointment today.
Get valuable information in Eliz’s new book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Heart, or in her Award Winning Blog.
Eliz Greene survived a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggled to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and searched for a way to hold on to the perspective and passion she found in her near-death experience. Drawing on her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress. Find out more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com