1. Oprah's heart doctor visits Vincennes
Vincennes Sun-Commercial (IN) - February 2, 2005
Author/Byline: JENNIFER EARLES, staff writer
Section: News
When this woman speaks, Oprah Winfrey listens.
Dr. Annabelle Volgman, lead cardiologist at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago and Winfrey's trusted heart
specialist, offered the same health care advice Tuesday to local women as she does to her celebrity patient.
"My best advice for women is to start exercising and follow a low fat, high protein diet to prevent heart attacks and strokes," she said.
"Bond with your family through exercise."
Volgman recommended every women exercise at least two and a half hours each week.
At this red-themed luncheon sponsored by Good Samaritan Hospital's Dayson Heart Center, Volgman used light-hearted humor as well
as vital statistics to stress to over 70 community leaders and local residents the importance of caring for a woman's heart.
The program, "The Heart of a Woman is Special," was a part of the hospital's National Heart Month celebration during February.
"We have a mission this month toward creating awareness for women's health," said Julie Thomas, director of the GSH cardiology
department. "Women need to know their numbers, their cholesterol, their blood pressure and their sugar levels."
Volgman, dressed all in red, was instrumental in opening the first heart center devoted to women October 2003 in Chicago.
"Being a cardiologist and working with women has been so rewarding for me," Volgman said. "The knowledge we provide at the center
increases the quality of life for all women.
"And that's why we are here today - to celebrate women."
Volgman treats patients like Winfrey at Rush's Heart Center for Women and directs an all-woman staff to provide heart care and
education about the risks of heart disease.
"We all know men are from Mars and women are from Venus," said Dr. Philip Watson, GSH cardiology medical director. "Our doctor
today is a specialist on Venetians."
Before revealing some serious heart disease information and preventative tips, Volgman got a laugh from the women in the room by
opening with her "non-cardiovascular causes of heart throbs," including actors Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Orlando
Bloom.
"However, women are not being treated as well as they should be," Volgman said. "Women are not being given even the most simple
medications for heart disease, like aspirin."
Volgman said fortunately she has seen the shift in our society. Sixty percent of the students who attend Rush University in Chicago now
are women.
Matt Bailey, GSH president and chief executive officer, also said, "Research tells us that women make 75 percent of the health care
decisions for both themselves and their families.
"We want everyone to know their bodies and to take advantage of the screening programs at the hospital," he said. "Heart attacks are a
silent killer and prevention is the key."
In 2003, 46 percent of women knew cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., Volgman said, but only
13 percent admitted it is the number one risk for them.
"And heart disease effects women of all ages," Volgman said. "Even if she is in otherwise perfect health, she might be under a lot of
stress, which can also put her at risk."
Annually, she said, half a million deaths are directly attributed to heart disease and 236,000 are from heart attacks alone. Volgman also
said 63 percent of all heart failure deaths are in women; in the last 20 years, more women than men have died of heart disease each year.
"This is because women are living past when all the men have died," Volgman said. "Women are living into their 70s, 80s and 90s, and

2. this is when we are being hit with heart disease."
Women generally get heart disease 10 years later than men, she said. However, when a woman smokes or has diabetes, she is taking
away her "female advantage."
"I feel very passionate about women not smoking," Volgman said. "And we can thank the tobacco companies for targeting women since
the 1960s, which caused lung cancer rates to skyrocket.
"We need to tell our teen-age daughters, This is their fate if they pick up that cigarette.'"
Volgman also quoted Martha Graham, a pioneer in modern ballet, "The body is a sacred garment."
"But a lot of us don't treat our bodies that way," Volgman said. "When you have your menage a trios with Ben and Jerry, you are just
adding onto your waistline and putting yourself at risk."
Volgman said obesity increase a woman's risk of heart disease two to three times.
"For a 5-foot-4-inch woman who is more than 30 pounds overweight," Volgman said. "She is considered obese. And don't believe that just
by taking a pill you will magically lose weight."
In Indiana, Volgman said, more than 25 percent of the population is obese. Only three other states, including Alabama, Virginia and
Mississippi, share this statistic.
Seven to 8 percent of Hoosiers also have diabetes, Volgman said. "Women with diabetes are at the highest risk of developing heart
disease. And diabetes is also affecting our children."
Volgman said children who develop diabetes by eight could have a heart attack as early as their 20s. "Do active things with your children,"
she said. "Take a walk with them."
Finally, Volgman quoted her famous patient, Winfrey: "'The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.'"
Volgman said, "Be like the 'Dancing Queen' you know you are."
Health screenings are conducted 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. very Tuesday and Thursday at Community Health Services, 401 S. Seventh St.
For a schedule of GSH events or for more information, call 812-886-8753 or at www.gshvin.org.
Record: 10CBA814C81DA004
Copyright: Copyright 2005 Vincennes Sun-Commercial