Feb 19, 2026
The Silent Threat Women Face
Heart disease remains the number one killer of women in America, yet nearly half of all women fail to recognize it as their greatest health threat. During a recent Community Health episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Dr. April Shewmake, a board-certified interventional cardiologist at Winchester Cardiology and Vascular Medicine I Valley Health, to uncover the truth about cardiovascular health. What emerged was a compelling conversation that challenges common misconceptions and empowers listeners to take control of their heart health.
Understanding the Specialist's Perspective
Dr. Shewmake brings a unique dual expertise to her practice. As an interventional cardiologist, she treats heart attack emergencies in the catheterization lab using minimally invasive procedures to open blocked arteries. However, she emphasizes that general cardiology—the preventive side of her work—plays an equally vital role. "Before things become an emergency or a heart attack," she explains, "that's the general cardiology piece." This preventive approach focuses on long-term care, diagnostic imaging, and medication management to stop heart disease before it starts.
The Prevention Paradox
Perhaps the most striking revelation from the conversation centers on prevention. According to Dr. Shewmake, between 70 and 90 percent of heart disease is entirely preventable. This statistic transforms heart health from a matter of fate into one of choice. The key lies in daily habits that many people overlook: maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, controlling blood pressure, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and remaining tobacco-free.
Nevertheless, Dr. Shewmake acknowledges that genetics do play a role. Some patients develop heart disease despite doing everything right. This reality underscores why awareness and early detection remain crucial, even for those who maintain healthy lifestyles.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
When it comes to identifying potential heart problems, Dr. Shewmake urges people to pay attention to specific symptoms. The major warning signs include chest pressure, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and pain radiating to the jaw, arms, or back. Critically, symptoms that appear during physical exertion and improve with rest signal early-stage heart disease.
Furthermore, Dr. Shewmake dispels the Hollywood myth that distinguishes heart attacks from indigestion. In reality, many people—particularly young adults and women—delay seeking treatment because they assume their symptoms indicate simple indigestion. Women especially tend to experience atypical presentations, manifesting nausea and shortness of breath rather than classic chest pain. "Don't delay," she insists. "If you think something's wrong, come to the hospital."
The 911 Rule
Dr. Shewmake reinforces a critical safety message: never drive yourself to the hospital if you suspect a heart attack. Instead, call 911 immediately. Emergency medical services can begin life-saving treatment en route, significantly improving outcomes. This advice echoes the guidance of other cardiologists and represents a consensus among heart specialists.
Women's Unique Risk Profile
The conversation takes a deeper dive into the specific challenges women face regarding heart disease. Dr. Shewmake reveals that nearly 45 percent of women over age 20 have cardiovascular disease, yet less than half recognize this reality. Heart disease kills more women than all cancers—including breast cancer—combined, claiming one in three female lives.
Moreover, women face distinct risk factors that men do not encounter. Hormonal changes during menopause, pregnancy-related complications, and autoimmune conditions all contribute to cardiovascular risk. Additionally, women often present with symptoms later in life but develop more complex disease. The medical community sometimes dismisses women's symptoms, compounding the problem.
The Caregiver's Dilemma
Janet raises an important point about women's tendency to prioritize others' health over their own. Women rush their husbands and children to the doctor at the first sign of trouble, yet they dismiss their own symptoms as minor inconveniences. Dr. Shewmake validates this observation and emphasizes the need to close the gap in how heart disease gets recognized and treated in women.
She advocates for reframing primary care visits as self-care—an hour dedicated to one's own wellbeing. Using the airplane oxygen mask analogy, she reminds women that they must take care of themselves first to remain available for their families.
The Rising Threat to Young Adults
Alarmingly, cardiovascular disease increasingly affects younger populations. Dr. Shewmake shares that her youngest female heart attack patient was 38, while her youngest male patient was just 30. Janet recounts the tragic story of her son's two high school friends—both in their early thirties—who died from heart attacks within three months.
This trend stems from rising cardiovascular risk factors among young people, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol appearing at earlier ages. Additionally, genetics likely play a stronger role in these younger cases. Young adults often assume they're invincible, delaying treatment when symptoms appear. This dangerous mindset can prove fatal.
Know Your Numbers
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Shewmake repeatedly emphasizes the importance of knowing four critical numbers: cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, and blood sugar. These metrics serve as early warning indicators for heart disease risk. She encourages everyone to discuss these numbers with their primary care physician and take action when they fall outside healthy ranges.
Importantly, all these risk factors respond to treatment. Modern medicine offers excellent options for managing weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Some newer weight-loss medications not only help patients shed pounds and lower A1C levels but also provide cardiovascular benefits. These treatments represent powerful tools in the fight against heart disease.
The Technology Trap
When Janet mentions the false sense of security that fitness trackers provide, Dr. Shewmake agrees wholeheartedly. While devices like the Apple Watch offer some benefits, they cannot replace a comprehensive medical evaluation. No wearable technology can measure cholesterol levels, assess blood glucose, or provide the nuanced analysis that comes from a conversation with a healthcare provider.
The Path Forward
Dr. Shewmake welcomes referrals from primary care physicians when patients need specialized cardiovascular assessment. She sees many patients who request consultations even when their primary care doctors deem it unnecessary, and she views these visits as valuable opportunities for in-depth risk evaluation. Cardiologists can order specialized tests and provide individualized guidance that goes beyond population-level statistics.
Breaking the Biggest Myth
As the conversation concludes, Dr. Shewmake tackles the most dangerous misconception about heart disease: that it primarily affects men. While society recognizes heart attacks as the leading killer of men, this awareness doesn't extend to women. This gap in understanding costs lives.
Her final message centers on empowerment. She urges everyone—especially women—to listen to their bodies, take symptoms seriously, and advocate for themselves when they know something feels wrong. Heart disease may be common, but it remains both preventable and treatable. Early action saves lives, and awareness changes everything.
The Simple Truth
Ultimately, Dr. Shewmake's message boils down to simple, actionable steps: eat well, move more, manage stress, get enough sleep, know your numbers, and remain tobacco-free. These everyday habits make a profound difference in cardiovascular health. Combined with regular medical care and self-advocacy, they form a powerful defense against America's leading cause of death.
The conversation serves as both a wake-up call and a roadmap. Heart disease doesn't discriminate, but knowledge and action provide protection. By recognizing symptoms early, understanding personal risk factors, and prioritizing preventive care, individuals can take control of their heart health and potentially add years to their lives.