The Women @ Heart Project at the Central Minnesota Heart Center can identify your risk for heart disease, customize a plan for minimizing your risk and address your distinct concerns as a woman. We aim to help you create a healthy lifestyle so you can fully enjoy life.

We know a woman’s heart is unique and warrants special care. Did you know?

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women. It claims more than a half million women each year in the United States.
• While death rates of men from heart disease have decreased throughout the last 20 years, death rates for women have increased.
• A woman has a 50 percent chance of dying from her first heart attack, compared with a 30 percent chance for a man.
• Once a woman survives a heart attack, 38 percent of women will die within the first year versus 25 percent of men.
• Within six years of a heart attack, 35 percent of women will have a second heart attack, and 46 percent will be disabled with heart failure.
• Prevention is the key. Several studies show that the incidence of heart disease can be reduced up to 75 percent with lifestyle management.

Are you at risk for heart disease? The biggest factors that contribute to heart disease are:

• smoking
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• physical inactivity
• age
• obesity
• diabetes
• family history.

Although you can’t change your age or family history, you can impact all the other risk factors. If you feel you may have one or more of these risk factors, we encourage you to learn more about the Women @ Heart Project.

If you're interested in another heart disease prevention program, learn about Holistic Services offered by the Central Minnesota Heart Center.

The Women @ Heart Project offers two comprehensive plans.

The unique feature of both plans is the professional one-on-one consultations. With both plans, you will receive consultations with a:

• Cardiology nurse practitioner
  After a variety of tests to evaluate your cardiac risk factors, a nurse practitioner will review and discuss your results. Based on the diagnostic tests, the nurse practitioner will calculate your 10-year risk for heart disease. She then will help you develop a personalized plan to help prevent or slow the progression of heart disease.
• Cardiac dietitian
  How many times have you dieted to lose weight and improve your health only to see the pounds reappear? Would you like to reduce your cholesterol by making dietary changes rather than taking medications? A cardiac dietitian will analyze your diet and work with you to develop meals that you and your family will love for their taste and health benefits.
• Exercise physiologist
  Have you started exercise programs in the past without success? An exercise physiologist will design an exercise program that will fit your schedule and your interests.

At the end of your first visit, you will receive a personalized heart health book that includes all of your test results, an explanation of your risk factors and their significance, and a comprehensive plan designed just for you, complete with attainable goals and a journal to track your results. Plus, you will receive a Women @ Heart Project handbook, a low-fat cookbook and a pedometer.

We want you to succeed! Our caring, skilled staff will re-evaluate your progress and help redefine your goals at regular intervals. We not only identify your risk factors, but also work with you to set goals and develop a plan to optimize your heart health.

Women @ Heart Project - Plan One
Cost: $100

• 30-minute consultation with a nurse practitioner
• 30-minute consultation with a dietitian
• 30-minute consultation with an exercise physiologist
• Cardiac exam
• Blood tests:
  total cholesterol
  triglycerides
  HDL
  glucose
  LDL
• Blood pressure
• Assessment of circulation to your legs and feet
• Body fat analysis
• Body mass index
• Assessment for metabolic syndrome
• 10-year cardiac risk evaluation

Women @ Heart Project - Plan Two
Cost: $250

• 30-minute consultation with a nurse practitioner
• 30-minute consultation with a dietitian
• 30-minute consultation with an exercise physiologist
• Includes all tests listed under Plan One plus a cardiac CT scan to measure the amount of calcified plaque in your arteries.

Since it is important for you to maintain a dialog with your doctor on your risk for heart disease, we will send your primary caregiver the screening results with your consent. Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of preventive screenings. However, if you participate in a health savings account or flexible spending account, you may be able to obtain reimbursement for the cost of your screening.

Helpful Resources
CentraCare Online Health Library - Women's and Coronary Artery Disease
American Heart Association