Women suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD), are at risk of having a heart attack.

“Women who have PAD can have significant coronary disease,”Katherine Gallagher MD, member of the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Women’s Leadership Committee. “Most women with PAD have a higher risk of a heart attack than from the complications they have from PAD. As women age, a common complaint is difficultly with walking; so the PAD diagnosis can be missed. Proper treatment will limit complications from PAD and the future risk of cardiac events.”

Dr. Gallagher stated that awareness campaigns regarding heart disease have increased awareness from 30% to 54% over a 12-year period. “Vascular surgeons are working on programs to educate the public and to make women more aware about the symptoms, dangers and treatments of PAD and other vascular diseases,”Dr. Gallagher.

“Chest pain and/or discomfort are the main symptoms of heart attacks in men and women,”Dr. Gallagher. “Women may not feel the excessive chest pressure that many men have. Women can have more common symptoms like shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.”Other symptoms for women include:

* Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest. It may last for more than 30 seconds, or it will disappear and come back.

* Pressure, pain or discomfort in the lower chest, upper back or upper abdomen, neck or in one or both arms

* Being dizzy or light-headed, faint or breaking into a cold sweat

* Fatigue

* Feeling like you have the flu

African Americans, Baby Boomers and diabetics are all at higher risk of developing heart disease in women. Smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and a family history with young people with heart disease puts younger women at greater risk.

Visit this site to learn more about your vascular health, and to locate a vascular surgeon. www.VascularWeb.org.

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With almost two-thirds American households earning less than 2002, being insured is not enough. It is important to find out how fast and easy your insurance company processes and pays claims. This is important for both financial and medical recovery.

Recent research found that 66% would not be able to adjust to the high financial cost of serious illnesses or injuries. Only 49% have enough money to cover out-of pocket expenses. Additionally, rising healthcare costs have forced employers to take cost-saving measures that are putting employees under greater financial pressure.

* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.

* Increasing employees’ share of premium.

* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.

Some people might have to wait as long as a month to receive their insurance payments. Many insurance companies strive to provide fast service with better technology and better understanding of customers’ needs. This is one example. AflacIn the insurance industry, it is rare to find policies that allow for claims approval, processing, and payment within one day.

In the past, fast payment policies were a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s vital to have funds readily available for serious illness or injury. Your insurance company should be able to respond quickly.

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