By Latresa Phillips, The Graham Star
Andrews – Sixty-million women are living with some form of heart disease.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the cause of one out of four deaths. Many do not realize that the development of heart disease, and its risk factors can vary by gender.
A combined effort between Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree and the Tri-County Democratic Women hope to clear up much of the mystery, as the two entities will sponsor, “Focus on Women’s Health: Supporting the Heart of Western North Carolina" on Saturday at Andrews United Methodist Church, 101 Chestnut St.
This is an educational opportunity for the women of western North Carolina to discover the importance of health and wellness. Erlanger physicians and care providers will cover important topics, with an emphasis on how to care for yourself as a woman.
There are risk factors that are specific to women. Hormones play a factor in heart disease in women. As women mature, their estrogen levels decrease. After menopause, blood pressure, iron levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol can increase followed by a high risk of cardiovascular disease. This risk can lead to hormone disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all of which are risks of heart disease.
Experiencing hypertension, pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes during pregnancy can increase the risk of heart disease. Women who have preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy are at a much higher risk of developing high blood pressure, or suffering from a stroke as they age. Women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Saturday's program will begin with a vendor event at 11 a.m., to provide an opportunity to meet local organizations and wellness providers. Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with proceeds benefitting the church.
At 1 p.m., keynote speakers Dr. Kimberly Reames and Katelyn Dillard, PA-C, will share up-to-date information and how to manage and maintain health. The program will conclude with breakout sessions on mental health, bone and joint health, nutrition and exercise, and screenings and examinations.
Reames is a board-certified endocrinologist and internal medicine physician. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and received her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine.
Reames completed her internal medicine residency and endocrinology fellowship at University of Chicago hospitals and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Her areas of clinical interests include diabetes, metabolism, adrenal gland disorders, hormone and thyroid disorders, obesity, osteoporosis, pancreatic disorders, and pituitary gland disorders.
Dillard is a physician assistant. She is from Murphy and attended Appalachian State University, where she majored in exercise science, then attended Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville, Tenn., for her master’s program in physician assistant studies.
Breakout sessions will be led by an impressive group of professionals. Dr. Margaret Lohf is a board-certified family medicine physician who serves patients of all ages.
Lohf received her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed her family medicine residency at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, S.C. Her clinical interests include preventive health, holistic care, hypertension, diabetes, joint injections, weight loss, women’s health and pediatrics.
Elizabeth Grants is a physical therapist. She completed her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences – with a concentration in human biology – at N.C. State University. She completed her doctorate of physical therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Miami.
Grants worked as a traveling physical therapist, prior to coming to Erlanger. During that time, she worked in seven different states and practiced physical therapy in pediatrics, home health, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient, and acute care settings.
William Mubanda is a registered dietician at Erlanger. He will also be joining the breakout sessions.
There will be two rounds of breakouts to allow participants to gather as much information as they need. The program will conclude at 4 p.m., with drawings for door prizes.
Register at qrfy.io/zKJ48JxCZs. Registration is recommended by not required.
Details: Email Randy Martins at mountainhealth25@gmail.com.