Brandi Buskirk, PA-C, stands as an advocate for women's heart health, aiming to educate on the alarming rise and common diagnosis of cardiac issues among women. Shockingly, statistics reveal that 44% of women are living with some form of heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for women in America.
One of the biggest challenges in addressing women's heart health is the difference in symptoms in women to men. Unlike men, women are more likely to develop heart disease in the smaller arteries of the heart, making it harder to detect and potentially leading to delays in treatment. Brandi Buskirk emphasizes the importance of this issue, stating, “Women often postpone seeking medical attention due to time constraints or the fear that their concerns won't be taken seriously by healthcare providers. That's why I'm passionate about amplifying women's voices in discussions about their health.”
Many things can make it more likely for women to have heart problems. Some of these things include not having enough iron in your blood (which is called anemia), going through menopause early, having endometriosis (which is when tissue like the lining of the uterus grows outside of it), and using birth control that affects hormones. Also, diseases where your body attacks itself (like lupus), not moving around much, and feeling sad or worried a lot can add to the chances of having heart issues. Brandi says it's really important to know about these things so we can try to prevent heart problems before they happen.
Some people might think that heart attacks always happen the same way for everyone, but that's not true. Brandi wants to make sure everyone knows that heart attack signs can be different for women than for men. Usually, men feel pain in their chest and left arm during a heart attack, but women might feel pressure or squeezing in their chest, along with feelings in their neck, throat, or shoulder. For women, being stressed out mentally can sometimes cause chest pain, not just physical activity. It's important for everyone to know these differences so women can recognize the signs of a heart attack and get help quickly.
Brandi really cares about making sure women take care of their hearts early on. She encourages women to go to the doctor for important tests and learn about what might raise their chances of heart problems. Brandi says it's crucial for women to not wait to see a doctor if they're worried about their heart. She wants to help you stay healthy, so she's welcoming new patients who need a doctor they can trust.
If you need someone to help you with your health, Brandi is there to support you. Please call 810.406.4246 or visit HamiltonCHN.org/make-an-appointment.
