Saint Barnabas Medical Center (SBMC) and the Ambulatory Care
Center (ACC) are piloting a new Women’s Cardiac Risk
Assessment that brings this important health screening to women
in settings where they can easily access it. “The program is based on
the American Heart Association’s Evidence-based Guidelines for
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women, 2007 Update,” said
Gary J. Rogal, MD, Chief of Cardiology for the Saint Barnabas
Health Care System.
“Women understand intellectually
that heart disease is the number one
killer, but they don’t personalize the
statistic,” explained Janie Baranyay,
APN, Quality Cardiac Coordinator at
SBMC. “Many still have not had a
discussion about heart disease with a
primary care physician.” The new
screening survey, designed specifically
for women by researchers at Stanford
University, empowers women to begin
that discussion and start on the
pathway of preventative care.
Cardiologists are partnering with
other disciplines, such as Ob/Gyn,
radiology and oncology to promote
risk assessment when women are
receiving other annual health
screenings such as Pap smears and
mammograms. The 19-question
assessment will also be available on
the Heart Centers’ web site later this
year. Women at risk will be
encouraged to make an appointment
with a cardiac nurse practitioner at
the Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care
Center. Based on the results, they
will be referred to an internist or
cardiologist for management of
their cardiac health.
In addition to screening, testing and
referral, the program includes
scheduled follow-up that will track
the program’s impact on heart disease
prevention.
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