The following statement comes from Robert Dewey, director of Cardiology Solutions at Siemens Medical Solutions, a world leader in medical imaging and information technologies. This statement is in response to first ever guidelines for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in women published in February 2004 by the American Heart Association (AHA) in conjunction with its “Go Red for Women” campaign. CVD is the leading cause of death of American women, resulting in approximately one death every minute.

A recent report from AdvaMed – the world's largest association representing manufacturers of medical devices, diagnostic products and medical information systems – stated: “Healthcare providers must also be aware that women’s cardiovascular health could greatly benefit from innovative medical technologies that are more routinely applied to men.” AdvaMed noted that despite greater incidence of heart disease among women, the beneficiaries of many life-saving cardiac technologies are overwhelmingly men. The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease reveals that women receive only 33 percent of angioplasties and stent placements, and only 28 percent of implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Malvern, Pa., April 2, 2004 - Although more commonly perceived as a disease afflicting men, in the U.S. alone, more than one half-million women die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year. This exceeds the number of CVD deaths in men and seven of the top 10 causes of death in women combined, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Unfortunately, statistics indicate that medical technology advances are being underused in female patients.

These sobering facts reinforce the need for reliable and economical solutions to diagnose and treat cardiac ailments at an early stage, and to track progression of disease in order to allow for successful medical care. As a leading provider of medical innovations, Siemens is committed to helping clinicians make inroads toward lowering the incidence of heart disease.

For example, the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) technologies for non-invasive imaging applications is particularly notable in improving earlier diagnosis of cardiac disease. Physicians can now take advantage of enhanced visualization of the anatomy prior to surgery. With the use of tools to visualize soft plaque — long known by researchers to be the cause of heart attacks — they can detect warning signs earlier. Exams take less time, and immediate access to images allows for faster diagnosis and treatment by a physician. With its ability in stress echo testing and the increased sensitivity for the visualization of coronary arteries, echocardiography is also making a strong contribution in early detection. Following diagnosis, advanced interventional angiography technologies can enhance treatment.

For many patients with heart disease, the first real symptom is a heart attack, and sometimes death. With these new tools to assist the physician with the diagnosis of the disease in its earliest stages, technology is improving the chances of visualizing and treating patients before a heart attack occurs. We must, as an industry, look to the role of advanced technologies to improve heart health among women by enabling healthcare providers to see the signs earlier and help more women avoid or survive a first heart attack. It is also important to consider the role of the technology in the care process while still in the emergent phase in order to maximize benefit to physicians and their patients.

These statistics showing high fatality rates for women with heart disease will continue unless we work to raise awareness and take steps to ensure that women understand their risks and the power of early detection. With this in mind, I join the AHA and AdvaMed in their call for focusing public attention on the risks women face, and the potential benefits from innovative medical technologies.

More Facts About Women and CVD:

• Since 1984 more women have died each year in the U.S. from cardiovascular disease than men, according to AHA.
• Women accounted for nearly 54 percent of deaths from cardiovascular disease in 2001.
• Heart disease kills more women in the U.S. than all forms of cancer combined.
• Approximately 435,000 American women have a heart attack each year, with a mortality rate of over 61 percent.
• One in five women in the U.S. is affected by heart disease.