Professional Documents
Culture Documents
“Having been awarded Chest Pain with PCI accreditation by the American College of
Cardiology, our patients can have the utmost confidence that we will provide them the best care
council (PMC, 2019). But did you know that men and women have differing heart health
guidelines and heart disease symptoms? While men typically experience pain in their left arm
and chest during a heart attack, women can experience numbness, sweating, fatigue, or even
stomach pain and heart burn (American Heart Association, 2019). These symptoms can often be
overlooked in women, and it is becoming increasingly common for women to ignore pre-
screening events because their symptoms do not match those commonly listed. In fact,
approximately 64% of women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms
(CDC, 2013).
In 2013, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed heart disease as the
leading cause of death for women in the U.S. (CDC, 2013), with a high concentration in the
Medical Center (PMC) is in the distinct position to lead a female focused heart health campaign.
With PMC’s new Heart Health initiative and the upcoming construction plans for a heart and
vascular institute (Pikeville Medical Center, 2019), there is no better time to begin the Women’s
Heart Health initiative and deliver measurable results in fighting heart disease in the southeastern
United States.
The 2018 American Community Survey and Census Bureau found that the ratio
of gender in Kentucky is 49% male and 51% female (TownCharts, 2018). In the
medical community, lists of heart attack and stroke symptoms are generally
PMC PROFESSIONALS SUPPORT WOMEN’S HEALTH 3
Kentucky’s population.
One in every four female deaths are related to heart disease (CDC, 2013).
An angiogram is the standard first step a doctor will take if a heart attack is
suspected, however, this test may miss a type of heart disease more commonly
By generalizing the typical symptoms seen in heart disease patients, PMC risks
overlooking gender significant symptoms and providing less than top quality patient care. The
creation and implementation of a Women’s Heart Health Initiative would ensure equal care is
being provided for both male and female patients. It also represents how important it is for
women to pre-screen against heart disease and would eventually reduce the number of women
Women: This applies to women who live within the region PMC serves. These
identification and differentiation, and hospital or other medical resources as necessary. This
would also drive patient interest and encourage continued use of medical resources.
The Media: “Free advertising” through news stories covering the Initiative and
informational press statements would be key in developing interest in the campaign and PMC’s
Stakeholders: Investment opportunities and the promise of name recognition has been
known to lure investors to the organization previously. Buildings such as the Leonard Lawson
Rehabilitation Center, and the Pam May Clinic Building were all made possible by investors
interested in driving innovation and opportunity in their chosen areas within the medical center.
This campaign could act similarly by motivating investors to take an interest in the issue of
women’s health. Given the newest construction project mentioned above, this is the perfect time
References
American Heart Association. (2019). Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. Retrieved from
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). Division for Heart Disease and
Stroke Prevention: Women and Heart Disease Fact Sheet. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_women_heart.htm
Levine, H. (2017, May 18). Women’s Health, Men’s Health: Why Gender Matters. Consumer
Reports. Retrieved from https://www.consumerreports.org/health/how-womens-health-
and-mens-health-differ/
Pikeville Medical Center. (2019, January 17). PMC Heart and Vascular Institute Receives Chest
Pain Accreditation Through The American College of Cardiology [Press release].
Retrieved from https://www.pikevillehospital.org/pmc-heart-and-vascular-institute-
receives-chest-pain-accreditation-through-the-american-college-of-cardiology/
TownCharts. (2018). Kentucky Demographics Data. Census Bureau. Retrieved from
http://www.towncharts.com/Kentucky/Kentucky-state-Demographics-data.html