Heart Disease Is Not

Just A ‘Man’s Disease’

To the Editor:

 Every minute, one woman in this country dies from heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases, the No. 1 killer of American women, according to the American Heart Association. I could have been one of those women. A year and a half ago, at age 41, I had a stroke. One minute I was cheering on my son at his baseball championship and the next I was being taken to the hospital. I am still in rehab and continue to improve, thanks to my therapists and neurosurgeon.

In Connecticut, 6,000 women die of cardiovascular disease each year. Cardiovascular disease claims more women’s lives than the next five causes of death combined. That’s why I am a strong supporter of the HEART for Women Act ­— bipartisan federal legislation aimed at reducing death and disability from heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women. The HEART for Women Act would improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women by educating both women and health care providers about prevention programs and the most effective treatments for women. The bill would also tighten Food and Drug Administration requirements for gender specific reporting data on heart medication in clinical trials.

 We have to stop thinking of heart disease as a “man’s disease.” It’s been the leading cause of death of women for the last 40 years and it’s time we made this a national priority. I urge Representative Nancy Johnson to co-sponsor the HEART for Women Act and help us save lives.

Jennifer Sposta

Mt Nebo Road, Newtown                                         March 12, 2006