The Dangers of Vaping

Most people know that smoking increases risk for lung cancer and for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious, long-term condition affecting the lungs that also includes chronic bronchitis … Read more

Bank of America Health Equity Initiative in Philadelphia Leverages the Voices of Community Members to Build More Resilient and Healthier Neighborhoods

Philadelphia, PA, October, 17, 2023 – Today, the Philadelphia Collaboration for Equitable Health, a healthy equity initiative powered by Bank of America, in collaboration with the American Heart Association (The … Read more

Guest Blog -Why are women misrepresented in the medical field?

Guest Blog By: Anastasia Milliman

  1. Only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their biggest health threat.
  2. 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
  3.  Most cardiac and stroke events can be prevented by education and lifestyle changes.
  4. Healthy changes have resulted in 330 fewer women dying from heart disease per day.

Why is it that women are so constantly misrepresented in the medical field? 

Anastasia and her gold award

This was the question I asked myself while working to create my Girl Scout Gold Award Project. As I researched, I found the fact that cardiovascular is disease the number 1 killer of women each year to be a prevailing issue. As I continued, I found that healthcare data is based majorly on the male anatomy and that is a large factor in why women are so often overlooked while receiving care. Even though women of all ages are at risk, and women are at higher risk than men, they are turned away from receiving care because their symptoms don’t match.

The biases in society contribute to this wholly as well, for example, women are less likely to receive bystander CPR because rescuers fear accusations of sexual misconduct or inappropriate touching. Minorities are also disproportionately affected, often leading to greater mortality rates and a lack of adequate care. 

Facts such as these drove my passion for my project. It was impactful to hear about the disparities women have been facing throughout history and this allowed my desire to go into the medical field to continue. I knew that I wanted to educate my community on how important women’s cardiovascular health is. I teamed up with a nonprofit organization that works to provide free primary care for Bergen County’s uninsured working citizens. This allowed me to coordinate with a cardiologist and my local ambulance corps to develop a comprehensive presentation given to the public about women’s healthcare and how they could personally make an impact by being knowledgeable. In addition to this, I created a book display to continue the education of my community that was presented for the entire month of May at my local library. 

Being educated and having an awareness of these issues opens doors for you to take control of your health and to help minimize the gap in health services and the quality of care that women receive. I worked to do this within my community, but now I am looking to reach a larger audience, taking control of your health is one way to minimize this gap.

For more information about how to continue education on how to take charge of your health, and how to make healthy lifestyle changes visit the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women websites. Go Red for Women | The American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of The American Heart Association | American Stroke Association. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.

The American Heart Association’s blog is not intended to provide medical advice or treatment. Only your healthcare provider can provide that. The American Heart Association recommends that you consult your healthcare provider regarding your personal health matters. If you think you are having a heart attack, stroke or another emergency, please call 911 immediately.

109 hospitals in Pennsylvania recognized for efforts to improve outcomes for Americans with heart disease and stroke

More than 100 hospitals across Pennsylvania are among the 2,600 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience … Read more

Angela Curry, Chief Compliance Officer at Bentley Systems, to lead 2023-2024 Philadelphia STEM GOES RED Initiative

Community leader inspires young women in Philadelphia public schools to uncover their potential through STEM Goes Red movement with support from local communities, employers, and schools.

 The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces Angela Curry, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Bentley Systems, as the volunteer chair of the 2023-2024 Philadelphia area STEM Goes Red movement. STEM Goes Red is working to engage more women in STEM through the Association’s strong legacy of science, education, and discovery to help propel young women into rewarding STEM careers.

STEM Goes Red brings interesting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to life for young women. By giving students access to leading employers and experts, they have the chance for an insider look at what they do. STEM Goes Red attendees gain firsthand experience, connect with inspiring professionals, and learn about careers across STEM fields. Students can walk away feeling like a whole new world of STEM has been revealed — a world in which they can truly love what they do and make a tremendous impact.

“As the Chair of STEM Goes Red and a proud parent of students attending Philadelphia public schools, I am passionate and invested in our school district and in our next generation of STEM leaders,” said Curry. “STEM Goes Red is an exceptional initiative that provides mentorship and exposure to STEM careers so that girls can talk to women in STEM and see their future selves in companies like Bentley. Students have direct and meaningful interactions with inspiring women in STEM fields, and what they come out with is a dream and a blueprint for real pathways to careers in STEM.”

“We are thrilled to have Angela’s experience, conviction, and passion to lead our Philadelphia STEM Goes Red campaign to new heights. Together, we know that we will have a positive impact on the lives of young women in our Philadelphia community. Our collective goal is for these young women to become our next cardiologists, researchers, and scientists who can help end heart disease,” said Jennifer Litchman-Green, Executive Director, American Heart Association, Philadelphia.

This year’s STEM Goes Red movement will culminate with a hands-on event for female students with an interest in STEM in grades 9th – 12th in early November, sponsored by Bentley Systems.

For more information about Go Red for Women contact: Allison Snavely @ allison.snavely@heart.org

Walgreens supports heart and brain health through the American Heart Association’s Life Is Why campaign

Shoppers can support the life-saving work of the American Heart Association Walgreens is once again proud to support the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart … Read more

Dr. Richard L. Snyder of Independence Blue Cross is a champion for training a Nation of Lifesavers through CPR and AED awareness

June 1-7 each year is National CPR Awareness Week, spotlighting how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR.  Dr. Richard L. Snyder, Executive Vice President of Facilitated Health … Read more

The American Heart Association proudly announces NFI Driving for Change award recipients

These four employees committed to a lifestyle change utilizing the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 and were selected by a committee at the American Heart Association and NFI.  Life’s … Read more

Penn Medicine Cardiologist is Honored with American Heart Association Top Award: 2023 Edward S. Cooper, MD Award

The American Heart Association, the largest voluntary health organization fighting cardiovascular diseases, announces Paul J. Mather, MD, as the 2023 recipient of the Edward. S. Cooper, MD Award. The award … Read more

A Leading North American Supply Chain, NFI Industries, Commits to a Healthy Workplace with Their Drive For Change Award

Life’s Essential 8 are the key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association. Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke, … Read more

Dr. Richard Snyder of Independence Blue Cross Receives Regional Award from American Heart Association

On February 8, 2023, local leaders come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Richard Snyder at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine’s CPR Kiosk. Dr. Snyder received the Leadership Legacy Award from the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region, an award given to only a select few. Dr. Snyder has volunteered with the Association for many years, including being the Philadelphia region’s board chair. He has always been passionate about CPR, raising awareness and teaching those in the Philadelphia region Hands-Only CPR.

Why It Matters: Each year more than 350,000 people suffer out of hospital cardiac arrest, only 10% of those people survive. Dr. Snyder has played an integral role in helping to improve those odds by helping to create the CPR Ready Coalition in Philadelphia. This coalition was created in 2016 with a goal of increasing the number of people who are trained and willing to perform hands-only CPR. This coalition is comprised of: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CPR/AED Public Awareness and Training Network, The Health Care Improvement Foundation, Independence Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia Fire Department, and the School District of Philadelphia.

Dr. Snyder was also instrumental in bringing the first CPR Kiosk to the Philadelphia Region, at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, where people can learn CPR at their own pace, and beready to help someone in crisis.

“Hands-Only CPR is a powerful tool that takes only 60 seconds to learn and can double or even triple a victim’s chances of survival. said Richard Snyder, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross.

Kevin Mahoney, CEO University of Pennsylvania Health System, was on hand to help present the award to Dr. Snyder, along with the Fire Commissioner of Philadephia, AdamThiel, Gregory Deavons, CEO of Independence Blue Cross  and Jennifer Litchman-Green, Executive Director of the American Heart Association of Philadelphia, all of whom shared the same sentiment, that Dr. Snyder always puts the patients and the community at large first.

 

Peoples president to chair Greater Pittsburgh Heart Walk

PITTSBURGH, PA — The American Heart Association (AHA), the largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases, announces Michael Huwar, president, Peoples division of Essential Utilities, as chair of the 2022 Greater Pittsburgh Heart Walk.

As chair, Huwar is leading the organizational and recruitment efforts in Greater Pittsburgh. He is calling on survivors, walkers, and business leaders to join in to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke, the leading cause of death in the United States.

“We all know someone affected by heart disease or stroke; by supporting the Greater Pittsburgh Heart Walk, we can raise funds to save lives and help improve the health of our region,” said Huwar.  “Peoples is proud to be a strong supporter of the American Heart Association and we are committed to helping advance this lifesaving mission.”

The Greater Pittsburgh Heart Walk will take place at Point State Park on Saturday, September 17, with registration and festivities starting at 8 a.m. followed by the Heart Walk at 10 a.m. The event will include music, a kid’s zone, a survivor wall, free health screenings and more.

The Greater Pittsburgh Heart Walk is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds and encourage physical activity. Heart Walks across the nation are anticipated to be the largest ever as families and co-workers leverage the opportunity to re-connect and get outdoors in safe conditions. Over one million Americans are expected to take part in a Heart Walk between September and November throughout the country.

To join the 2022 Heart Walk movement, visit www.heart.org/PittsburghWalk. From there, participants can access the walk site suggestions, form teams, and customize their own Heart Walk web page. Registrants can also use the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join the fun. On the day of the Walk, participants are encouraged to post pictures and videos using #PghHeartWalk.

The Greater Pittsburgh Heart Walk is supported locally by individual walkers and teams from around our region and by UPMC, UPMC Health Plan, Peoples, Giant Eagle, and The Lindy Group.  Scroll here for a complete list of local sponsors.

For more information on sponsorship or to donate to the Pittsburgh Heart Walk contact David.Robbins@heart.org. For information on heart and brain health, visit www.heart.org.

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The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke –  the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

For Media Inquiries:

Karen Colbert: 412.475.4928 (mobile);karen.colbert@heart.org

Follow us @AHAPennsylvania

heart.org/Pittsburgh

American Heart Association Go Red for Women in Philadelphia Announces 2022-23 Campaign Co-Chairs Shelly Buck, President, Riddle Hospital and Barbara Wadsworth, Executive VP/ Chief Operating Officer, Main Line Health to Lead this Year’s Campaign

Go Red for Women in Philadelphia is proud to announce that Shelly Buck and Barbara Wadsworth, both from Main Line Health, the city’s Go Red signature sponsor, will Co-Chair this … Read more

Philadelphia American Heart Association and the Philadelphia Union Hosts the Return of CycleNation at Subaru Park

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) annual indoor cycling “CycleNation” event was held at Subaru Park in Chester, PA on Thursday, July 28th. The goal of the event was to encourage Philadelphia and surrounding counties residents to use cycling to improve heart and brain health, while raising funds to continue the AHA/ASA’s vital community programs, research, and advocacy efforts to end heart disease and stroke.

 

The American Stroke Association (a division of the American Heart Association) brought 30 stationary bikes to Subaru Park to host a CycleNation event for employees, volunteers, and sponsors. At the end of the workday, more than 50 people were led through several fun and energetic rides.

 

The goal of CycleNation is to use cycling and other exercise activities to improve heart and brain health, while raising funds to continue the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s vital community programs, lifesaving research and advocacy efforts to end heart disease and stroke.

 

Being physically active is key to preventing heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, with stroke being the No. 3 killer in Western New York. To improve overall cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association suggests at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise.

 

CycleNation is nationally sponsored by Amgen and locally sponsored by Crozer Health, Philadelphia Union, Subaru, Arel Capital, Genesis HealthCare, Kemberton, and ProMedica.

To donate to the Philadelphia CycleNation, visit cyclenation.org/phillyride. For more information on the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke, visit stroke.org.