Celebrating National Women's Health Week with Free Health Screenings

Texas Heart Institute’s Center for Women's Heart & Vascular Health partnered with Neighborhood Center's Inc. (NCI) for a special Women's Health Event at Ripley House Community Center Tuesday, May 8th in celebration of National Women’s Health Week and Mother's Day.

Over 60 women participated in a focused, cardiovascular health morning that included learning about their heart and vascular disease risk through an expanded comprehensive health screening and consultation with THI doctors, learning about healthy food choices through a heart healthy cooking demonstration and discussion, and learning about exercise and stress management through a special Zumba session finished off with a yoga session. 

This exciting event is the first of three that are being held around the community this week. The other two will be at  NCI's  Independence Heights Community Center on West Crosstimbers (Wednesday May 9th) and Cleveland-Ripley House Community Center in Pasadena (Friday May 11th).

AHA Honors Dr.  Roberta Bogaev
 
At the 2012 American Heart Association Heart Ball on February 11, Dr. Roberta Bogaev was honored for her work during her time as the Medical Director of Heart Failure and Transplant at the Texas Heart Institute. Read the full story about her contributions to the field of medicine, including being an instrumental part of developing the Left Ventricular Assist Device, or LVAD, that is used by former Vice President Dick Cheney, among many others.

Teaming Up with H-E-B

To celebrate American Heart Month and promote healthy living throughout 2012, Texas Grocer H-E-B and Texas Heart Institute are teaming up to put women's heart health in the spotlight. Dr. Stephanie Coulter is featured on pages 8 and 9 of H-E-B's in-store magazine, TexasLife, to explain the best ways women can fight heart disease.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health named THI's Heart Information Center (HIC) as a trustworthy source of health information for women. See the entire list of resources on womenshealth.gov or read the highlighted HIC article on exercise.

Advocating and Educating for Women's Heart Health

THI educational resources for women are cited twice in the AWHONN Position Statement (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing) published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing. In the Women's Cardiovascular Health paper, the authors reference the HIC topic, Women & Heart Disease, as well as "Straight Talk about Heart Attacks" in the Women's Center. Read the full position statement (PDF).

Sugary drinks hurt even skinny women's hearts

"There are some calories that come like a nuclear attack," said Dr. Stephanie Coulter, director for the THI Center for Women's Heart & Vascular Health. Research reported at the American Heart Association meeting revealed that "Women who drink sugary beverages every day may be raising their risk for heart disease, even if their habit is not packing on the pounds." Learn more on the TODAY show website.

Back to School Health Fair

The Texas Heart Institute Center for Women's Heart & Vascular Health continued its push to reach out into the community in meaningful ways and to broaden important research into women's heart health. On August 13th we provided free health screenings at Neighborhood Centers Inc's Back to School Health Fair, a daylong health party at NCI's Harbach Ripley Community Center located in the Sunnyside neighborhood of south east Houston.

The Women's Center provided comprehensive cardiovascular disease screenings and recommendations to more than 120 women who otherwise would not have access to this level of care. THI specialists also educated them about their specific cardiovascular risks. We are especially grateful to Abbott Vascular for the grant that underwrote the lipid and glucose screenings.

Go Red Girlfriend

 
In the News: Taking a Look at Heart Disease Among Women

Women are the primary caretakers in most families. Many of us take care of kids AND aging parents. But do we take care of ourselves? Do more women have breast cancer or heart disease? Watch the video (5:10) featuring THI Dr. Stephanie Coulter from myfoxhouston.com (May 4, 2011).
 

Women's Center Reaches Out

The Texas Heart Institute Center for Women's Heart & Vascular Health is making a push to reach out into the community in meaningful ways and to broaden important research into women's heart health. On February 19th the Center provided free health screenings at Vestido Rojo, a daylong health conference at Neighborhood Centers, Inc's (NCI's) Baker-Ripley Community Center. The lipid and glucose screenings were made possible through a grant from Abbott Vascular.

THI partnered in the event with the Houston Chapter of the American Heart Association, Texas Southern University Pharmacy Students and NCI, one of Houston's leading and oldest community centers. The skilled physicians and nurses of THI and St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital  helped make this event a particular success.

Talking about Women's Heart Health

Cooking with Heart

An overflow crowd attended "Cooking with Heart" at Central Market on February 10th. At this free event sponsored by Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, the Central Market chef demonstrated how to prepare a delectable heart-healthy dinner including * Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, * Jewel Roasted Vegetables, * Herbed Quinoa, * Pesto Crusted Salmon, and * Espresso Cake with Raspberry Sauce.

Dr. Scott Sherron, THI cardiologist (in photo), and Rita Zapien, St. Luke's registered dietitian, were on hand to discuss heart health tips.

A Healthy Heart is Fashionable

Inaugural continuing medical education event a resounding success

Only 8% of primary care physicians, 13% of OB/GYNs and 17% of cardiologists are aware that more women than men die each year from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Many are also unaware that heart attack symptoms in women differ from those in men and that women respond differently to treatments. To address this awareness gap, the Texas Heart Institute Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) will be offering an annual symposium titled Risk, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Women. The inaugural event, on September 11, 2010, was a resounding success with more than 100 participants. The presenters' expertise and enthusiasm engaged participants throughout the 6-hour program and the high participation rate evidenced the interest and need for such a program among medical professionals. The Second Annual Symposium will be held October 1, 2011.

City of Houston Joins in Announcement

On October 7, 2010, the Texas Heart Institute joined with Houston Mayor Annise Parker and a host of other dignitaries to announce the establishment of the new Center for Women’s Heart & Vascular Health. View a video clip of the event.

Our physician-scientists welcome invitations to speak with your group. Visit our Events page for more information about requesting a speaker and to learn about upcoming events. For further information about community outreach, contact us at women@texasheart.org.