Abbott Sponsors American Heart Association's 'Go Red for Women' Movement in
the Bay Area
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leader in cardiovascular treatment and the exclusive Bay Area "hometown" partner for the national "Go Red for Women" program, Abbott (http://www.abbott.com) is partnering with the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in America.
One out of every three American women will die of heart disease, yet, according to AHA, only 13 percent of women believe heart disease is their greatest health risk. While largely preventable, heart disease in women often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated. Data shows that most women fail to make the connection between risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol and their risk of developing heart disease.
Through this year-long campaign, which kicks off in February --
American Heart Month -- Abbott and AHA hope to raise awareness that even
women without classic risk factors and symptoms may be at risk -- just ask
Michelle Smietana, a software testing engineer at Abbott. Ironically,
Michelle just had her blood pressure and cholesterol checked -- both were
normal. While she used to smoke and had been a bit overweight, she was
feeling strong and healthy so she didn't know what to suspect last spring
when she experienced some back pain that crept into her neck. At just 33,
both she and the cardiologist who treated her were shocked when her
ultrasound results showed evidence of a heart attack.
"If heart disease can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. I was only
33, had low cholesterol and good blood pressure. I didn't have the
"normal" symptoms you associate with heart disease like left arm pain and
pressure in my chest. Going through cardiac rehabilitation helped make
exercise a regular part of my life and has helped repair the damage to my
heart. Through this campaign, I hope other women hear my story and take
steps to understand their risk for heart disease."
Michelle Smietana, of Abbott, 33-year-old heart attack victim
According to AHA, Michelle is not alone. Heart attacks strike 9,000 women younger than 45 each year.
To increase the awareness of this and other little known facts about
heart disease, Dr. Sandra Burke, a scientist in the Santa Clara-based
vascular division of Abbott, is dedicating her career and her free time to
fighting heart disease.
"Abbott and AHA urge women to talk to their doctors about their risk of
heart disease and to start taking action to lead healthier lives."
Dr. Sandra Burke
Director, cardiovascular biology research, Abbott Vascular
In addition to raising awareness through campaigns like "Go Red," Abbott is committed to developing new drugs and medical devices to treat heart disease and related conditions. With diagnostic tests, pharmaceutical products, nutritional products and vascular stents to diagnose and treat heart disease, Abbott has one of the world's leading heart disease and vascular care businesses.
Abbott's CEO, Miles White, sent an e-mail to the company's 35,000 U.S.
employees earlier today echoing this commitment.
"Abbott is in the fight against heart disease for the long haul and
through all the means at our disposal: with our diagnostic tests to
identify cardiovascular conditions, our pharmaceutical treatments to
improve patients' cardiovascular health, our nutritional products that
help to improve cardiovascular status, and our stents that relieve acute
vascular conditions by reopening blocked arteries. It's only natural that
we lend our philanthropic support and the skills and commitment of our
people, as well."
Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott
Go Red Heart Checkup
Women throughout the Bay Area can register today for a free online heart checkup that predicts their personal risk of having a heart attack within 10 years. To register, visit GoRedForWomen.org.
About Abbott
Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted
to the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of
pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and
diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and markets its products in
more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are
available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.
Related Links
Go Red for Women
[http://www.goredforwomen.org/]
Women, Heart Disease and Stroke, the American Heart Association
[http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4786]
American Heart Association
[http://www.americanheart.org/]
'/>"/>
| SOURCE Abbott Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |
Related medicine news :
1. Abbott to Present at Merrill Lynch Healthcare Conference
2. Abbotts Kaletra(R) and Aluvia(R) (lopinavir/ritonavir) New Lower-Strength Tablet for Pediatric Use Receives Positive Opinion from EMEA
3. Abbott Hosts Conference Call for Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Earnings
4. Cookie Johnson and Abbott Bring I Stand With Magic: Campaign to End Black AIDS to Los Angeles to Educate African-American Women on HIV/AIDS
5. Ugandan Children Are Among the First to Receive Abbotts Lower-Strength Aluvia (lopinavir/ritonavir) Tablet
6. The Magic Johnson Foundation and Abbott Expand Focus of Campaign to End Black AIDS to African-American Women in 2008
7. FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Approval of Abbotts XIENCE(TM) V Drug Eluting Stent System
8. Abbotts Environmental Protection Initiatives Again Recognized by the State of Illinois
9. Abbott Employees Give Back to Local Communities This Holiday Season
10. AUDIO from Medialink and Abbott Labs: Easing Holiday Stress for Families of Those With Diabetes
11. Abbott Receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approval for New Lower-Strength Kaletra(R) (lopinavir/ritonavir) Tablet for Pediatric HIV Patients
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |