Women and Heart Disease

Heart surgeon Diethrich and medical writer Cohan here set out to debunk the common notion that heart disease strikes men almost exclusively. They note that more than 10 million American women suffer from some cardiovascular problem, and that one woman in nine is afflicted with heart disease by age 45. And although heart disease is more prevalent among men, they contend, it is more deadly for women. While 44,000 women die of breast cancer annually in the U.S., more than 250,000 die of heart disease. But Diethrich and Cohan don't merely carp on the shabby treatment they say women with heart disease receive, or on the lack of attention paid to women in major medical studies--such as the Physician's Health Study, which recommended taking aspirin to prevent heart disease, and the Harvard School of Public Health survey that identified coffee as a cause of the disease. They also provide information on how to recognize symptoms and minimize risk through changes in diet, exercise and other habits. They clearly discuss hormone treatment, tests and surgical procedures, using case histories by way of illustration. Despite their good intentions, however, some readers may find their suggestion that women should bring someone with them to the cardiologist's office--a husband, grown child or friend--particularly and ironically condescending. Diethrich is a heart surgeon at the Arizona Heart Institute; Cohan is a medical writer. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ad/promo; author tour. (Nov.)