LUDINGTON — A full house of about 60 people gathered in the meeting room at the Ludington Area Senior Center Monday for a discussion of women’s heart health with Amanda Overmyer, MD.
Dr. Overmyer emphasized that heart disease should be a primary health concern for everyone. She noted that it is even more prevalent among women than men, contrary to the persistent assumption that it is a primarily male disease.
She discussed the risk factors for women in developing heart disease and explained that not all of the “typical” symptoms of a heart attack occur for women as they might for men. She emphasized that once a person has heart disease, they will always have it, and while it can be controlled and treated, it cannot be reversed.
“The earlier we adopt a preventive lifestyle, the better,“ Dr. Overmyer advised.
“The best approach is to try to reduce the risk factors of heart disease, which means preventing plaque build-up in the arteries. This can be done—to the degree possible given each woman’s genetic predisposition to the disease—through healthy lifestyle choices such as a diet that limits fat and through getting enough exercise.”
The Ludington physician recommended at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, after consulting with a doctor on individual health factors.
She concluded the session by answering a wide variety of questions from the audience.
