Many of your patients may not realize that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women. For many reasons, risk factors go unnoticed and symptoms go unchecked.
According to Katherine Tromp, PharmD, interim dean at the Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy, community pharmacists are in a unique position to identify these hidden risks. By motivational interviewing, pharmacists can counsel lifestyle changes and inspire healthier habits.
May is Women’s Health Month
Given the time of year, now is the perfect time to focus on improving the health of your female patients. Three good ideas include:
Reveal hidden risks
Sure, most patients are aware that diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol raise the chance of heart disease. But do they know that stress, depression, and loneliness are risk factors, too? Different life stages increase the odds too, like pregnancy or menopause.
Talk to patients if you do have any concerns about those risk factors. Heart disease often presents no symptoms at all. Encourage your patients to make annual appointments with their healthcare provider.
Address challenges
Ask any woman and the number one challenge with heart health is finding time. With families, children, careers, and other commitments, women often fail to prioritize their own health. Reminding women to care for themselves is one of the most important things healthcare providers can do. After all, women can’t take care of others without taking care of themselves.
Partner for change
Offer to help your patients change their lifestyles to improve their health. Smoking cessation is an area in which you can provide expertise and assistance. You might also suggest dietary changes or exercise routines. You might keep a list of community resources, such as cooking classes, wellness services, and more.
The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign is a terrific resource. The program offers loads of information, sleep tips, recipes, fitness activities, and other resources. Put in your ZIP code or state, and to locate specific events and activities. The Food and Drug Administration also has a great website full of the latest information and ideas.
Your patients will be grateful that you’ve taken the time and effort to help them improve their health.
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PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and run by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited warehouse with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
