Jennifer Dickerson, MD,
with The Ohio State University Medical Center’s CarePoint at Gahanna, is concerned about women’s heart disease. “Young women need to understand that they are not immune to heart disease. The things they do today serve as a foundation for the rest of their lives—tobacco use, a bad diet and a lack of exercise will hurt them later in life,” she explains.
The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women, responsible for the death of one in three women worldwide. According to Dr. Dickerson, a vast majority of cardiovascular disease is preventable. The number one preventable risk factor: smoking. For women, taking our own heart health seriously is important. And the earlier we start, the better off we are in the long run.
Laxmi Mehta, MD, FACC,
director of Ohio State’s Women’s Cardiovascular Health Clinic, agrees.
Dr. Laxmi Mehta, MD, FACC
Dr. Jennifer Dickerson, MD
“Cardiovascular disease should be dear to every woman’s heart because one in two of us will develop it at some point in our lives,” says Dr. Mehta. “It is a process that starts from a very young age. We need to step up to the plate and change our own health.”
Other risk factors women should be aware of include:
·
Low HDL (good cholesterol)
·
Hypertension
·
Mental stress or depression
·
Diabetes
·
High triglyceride levels (fatty acids)
·
Age
·
Family medical history
For both sexes, traditional warning signs remain the same, but women experience slight variations in the way their symptoms occur. This may be because women have smaller arteries and disparities in plaque buildup within blood vessels compared to men. In addition to customary chest pain, women undergo shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, sweating and dizziness.
Imaging at CarePoint Gahanna Comes with Ohio State Care
Imaging tests can detect potential health complications and, ultimately, save lives. At Ohio State’s CarePoint at Gahanna, patients have access to a range of imaging tests, state of the art equipment, specialized radiologists and a network of Ohio State physicians.
The imaging center treats a variety of patients – from those needing x-rays for a sprained ankle to patients with more serious disease processes needing specialized imaging. The comprehensive imaging capabilities include 3T open-bore MRI, 128-slice CT scans, routine digital x-ray procedures, bone density tests, ultrasounds and digital mammography.
Physicians can better diagnose and understand patients’ medical conditions using a wide range of imaging equipment with the latest technology. For example, the Imaging Center has a 3T open-bore MRI scanner that provides patients with the feeling of a more open and comfortable environment while allowing experts to see better definition and a clearer image.
“Our goal is to improve diagnosis by improving our imaging standards,” said Amy Gallatin, senior imaging technologist. “Our board-certified radiologists are experts at reading and interpreting images on the industry’s best imaging equipment. Through research and teaching this translates into the best possible care for our patients.”
The CarePoint at Gahanna Imaging Center currently offers flexible appointment times in its convenient location. To schedule an appointment, ask your doctor to call 614-293-4333.
Imaging is just one component of the comprehensive care offered at CarePoint at Gahanna.
“Physicians within our other health services collaborate with imaging experts and research to diagnose and treat patients,” Gallatin says. This allows patients to schedule appointments easily between other appointments, providing a better patient experience. With this kind of flexibility, patients are able to get same level of quality and personalized attention found at
The Ohio State University Medical Center at a new convenient location.
Ohio State in Your Community
CarePoint at Gahanna is home to a variety of health services in a single, convenient location - services delivered with the same level of quality and personalized attention found at The Ohio State University Medical Center:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Family Practice
- Imaging
- Neurology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Orthopaedics
- Physical Therapy
- Podiatry
- Sports Medicine
For additional information on the services available in
your
community, call 614-293-5123 or visit medicalcenter.osu.edu.
CarePoint at Gahanna is located at 920 North Hamilton Road.