United front

At UVA, women stand together against heart disease

By Polly Turner

For a woman at risk for heart disease, the average 10- to 15-minute doctor checkup isn't always enough. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death for women in America. And fighting heart disease can require changes in routine, diet, exercise, possible medication, and even reducing stress. And that means a new kind of doctor's appointment.

To help address the multiple issues that contribute to heart health, a new Women's Heart Program at the University of Virginia Health System gives women a full hour, or more, with a doctor specializing in heart disease. Alongside the physician is a nurse practitioner trained in health education or other expert in nutrition or exercise. The most innovative part of the hour-long session is that it takes place with several women together in a room. By being part of a focused group session, women can benefit from both the combined experience of UVA's team of specialists and the real-world experience of other women facing similar issues.

For years, a number of medical institutions nationwide have offered shared medical appointments. These shared visits provide specialized care and education in a relaxed setting. They also provide all the power of a support group for nurturing behavior change. Women sharing with women becomes part of the healing process.

Through this new program, women can tap into the expertise of UVA's entire heart-health team, including doctors specializing in heart health and diabetes (a major risk factor for heart disease), cardiovascular nurses, dietitians, an exercise physiologist, a pharmacist, and knowledgeable support staff. Together, these experts give women:

  • ideas for surmounting personal obstacles to weight loss
  • practical ways to fit exercise into a busy workday
  • instructions for taking one's own blood pressure
  • a simple explanation of what "LDL cholesterol" means to a woman's health

"Studies have shown that this kind of support greatly helps women in making the changes necessary to reduce heart disease risk," says Anne C. Hedelt, a family nurse practitioner with the program. "When it comes to heart disease risks and lifestyle change, you can't do this well in 10 minutes," she adds. "You need time to explore fully all aspects of lifestyle change with expertise, information and the support of a group."

Are shared appointments right for me?
Shared medical appointments, available through the UVA Health System Women's Heart Program, are for any woman at risk for heart disease, and particularly for those ready to get serious about reducing their risks. (Need to assess your risk? Visit http://www.livereduva.com/ and click on "Heart 101".) Here are some commonly asked questions about shared medical appointments:

Is it confidential? Yes. Your confidentiality will be maintained by our clinical team, and everyone in the group must sign a confidentiality agreement. Participants are reminded of this obligation at every visit.

What can I gain from participating?

In these group meetings, women can gain skills and information they can then use at home. There is also the potential for improved outcomes. Several studies have found that patients with diabetes who come to a shared medical appointment experienced dramatic improvements in their blood sugar levels.

Can I stay with my own physician? Yes. The shared appointment can serve as an adjunct to ongoing care with any physician; In addition, private, one-on-one appointments for lifestyle coaching can be arranged with a UVA nurse practitioner.

Heart to Heart

Call 888-882-9892 to learn more about the UVA Women's Heart Program. Learn what happens during a shared medical appointment. [link to take action jump page]

This article appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of Vim & Vigor, a family health magazine sponsored by UVA Health System. If you don't already receive it at home, sign up today. It's free.