Even Without Cardiac Risk Factors, Heart Disease Can Strike Women

Photo Caption: Pictured (right) is Orland Park resident Mary Pat Falloon who didn’t exhibit any typical cardiac risk factors when she had a blockage in her right coronary artery which cardiologist Dr. Kathleen Drinan (left) diagnosed after administering a stress test.

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

As 47 year-old Mary Pat Falloon was hiking with her girlfriends in the Arizona mountains, she noticed a heaviness sensation in her chest and down both her arms.

“I was living a healthy lifestyle – I exercised regularly and my weight, blood pressure and cholesterol were in normal ranges,” said Mary Pat Falloon, a resident of Orland Park. “However to be safe, I had a stress test with my extremely skilled cardiologist Dr. Kathleen Drinan, who determined that I had a blockage. Then I had a coronary angiogram that found a 95% blockage in my right coronary artery. I was treated with a coronary stent, and for several years been blessed with no further cardiac incidents.”

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“Mary Pat had no significant traditional cardiac risk factors. She didn’t smoke, led a very healthy lifestyle, and had no family history of heart disease,” said Dr. Kathleen Drinan, board certified cardiologist, who is on the medical staff at Silver Cross Hospital.

However, Mary Pat’s history of breast cancer, which occurred over 20 years earlier, alerted Dr. Drinan to investigate further. “The fact that Mary Pat’s breast cancer was treated with radiation therapy put her at risk for the development of a coronary artery blockage,” said Dr. Drinan. “Mary Pat’s unusual occurrence is why patients and health care professionals must continue to educate themselves on the unique presentation of heart disease in women, so they can follow a different approach when evaluating women for the disease.”

Further, Dr. Drinan notes that younger women who had gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy associated hypertension or chronic inflammatory disease need to be evaluated for their lifetime risk of heart disease. “For years these prior illnesses were not recognized as risks for the development of heart disease, and so many women were not diagnosed or treated with appropriate treatments,” said Dr. Drinan.

Free Lecture - Girl Talk: Women & Heart Disease

Join Dr. Kathleen Drinan, cardiologist, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox, for a special Girl Talk: Women and Heart Disease seminar. At this free program, participants will learn the facts about heart disease and what women need to do to prevent heart attacks. Register to attend this free program at http://IMatter.silvercross.org or by calling 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

Free Smoothie for Getting Cardiac Risk Assessment

Keep your heart running smoothly with a Baseline Cardiac Risk Assessment. The $40 screening includes measurements of total cholesterol including HDL and LDL levels, blood glucose level, triglyceride level, blood pressure and body fat; 12-lead EKG, health and lifestyle evaluation, and a personal phone consultation with a registered cardiac nurse to review results and answer questions. A 12-hour fast is required. Individuals who call (815) 300-7076 during the month of February to schedule an appointment at the Silver Cross Health Center, 12701 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen orSilver Cross Hospital, 1900 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox will receive a heart-healthy smoothie in a keepsake cup from Café 1900 at Silver Cross Hospital, an I Matter card which can be used for valuable discounts at over 100 local businesses; and will be entered in a raffle to win a NutriBullet. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted at time of appointment. Insurance will not be billed.

About Kathleen Drinan

Dr. Kathleen Drinan, board certified cardiologist, attended medical school at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed an internal medicine residency at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a cardiology fellowship at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her office is located at 16515 106th Court, Orland Park. To schedule an appointment, call (708) 226-0506. Dr. Drinan invites you to explore her website www.care4yourheart.com and Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/care4yourheart.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.