HEART FELT — Kastan Fills Emotional Gaps for Women With Heart Disease

By Mary Powers / powers@commercialappealcom

She never smoked.

She wasn’t overweight.

Her blood pressure was normal.

She exercised regularly.

But at age 41, Kathy Kastan of Cordova started having symptoms of heart disease.

It would take two years, visits to two Memphis heart specialists and a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to get the correct diagnosis and relief from crippling chest pain. Before it was over, she’d undergo five heart procedures plus emergency heart bypass surgery.

During her search for information, she found plenty of books about how to prevent or reverse heart disease. Most were written by physicians. None addressed the emotional roller coaster she was riding.

So she wrote that book.

“From the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease” is what she was looking for when she was diagnosed. Its official publication date is Sunday, but the book ($25, Da Capo Press) is in book stores now.

“I would have realized I’m not alone,” Kastan said, explaining how the information would have helped her. “I would have felt more hopeful. I would have had something to direct me in a positive way and help me understand why I was floundering.”

Instead of the physiology of atherosclerosis, in “From the Heart,” Kastan writes about body image and sex. Instead of low-fat meal ideas, she details her own struggle to digest the diagnosis.

Along with strategies for navigating the health system, Kastan outlines the healing power of activism.

Kastan, whose father and husband are both physicians, is a licensed clinical social worker who had worked as a psychotherapist before her diagnosis. She now devotes herself full time to advocacy.

She is in her second term as president of WomenHeart, a national coalition for women with heart disease. She’s also chairwoman of the American Heart Association’s northwest region. In 2005, Kastan and the the foot-long bypass scar bisecting her chest were featured in a national public-awareness campaign about women and heart disease.

It’s work that has her traveling, sometimes several times a month, lobbying elected and government officials or speaking to medical, consumer and other groups. She talks about the still under- appreciated risk heart disease poses to women as well as the need for more research about women and heart disease.

Her message to doctors: Take seriously female patients and their heart disease risk. Although she said more research and education are needed, she is hopeful. “We are getting there. We are moving in the right direction,” she said.

She got serious about writing the book three years ago after surveying WomenHeart members. What they told her about their experiences with heart disease reinforced her belief that her story wasn’t unique.

Kastan had a family history of heart disease and elevated cholesterol, but she wasn’t considered an obvious candidate for the problem.

So when her left arm would tingle during a swim or a bike ride left her short of breath and nauseated, she blamed her age and asthma.

The first doctor blamed a leaky heart valve. The next one found a blockage in one of the main arteries supplying blood to her heart and vasospasm, a cramping of the blood vessel that temporarily reduced or halted its blood supply. But it took a trip to the Mayo Clinic’s women’s heart clinic before more aggressive treatment of the vasospasm brought symptom relief.

“I’m doing it because I want to prevent other women from going through what I went through,” she said. “I know I am saving lives.”

The numbers indicate heart disease is an issue for 8 million American women. Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading killer of both American women and men. But their symptoms and risks sometimes differ. Men are more likely to have heart attacks, women more likely to have strokes. But a woman’s risk of suffering a deadly heart attack rises sharply with age.

Although factors such as age, smoking and family history increase everyone’s risk, there is also evidence of gender differences. For example, the American Heart Association reports high triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol levels might be a greater threat to women more than men.

Da Capo Press bought the book based on three chapters and an outline. It took her just two months to finish the rest. “It just flowed,” she said. Kastan is donating a portion of her proceeds to WomenHeart.

Now 47, Kastan is still adjusting to what she calls her new normal. She takes a dozen medications and supplements every day. Chest pain is still an occasional problem, especially if she gets too tired.

“A lot of your life changes once you are diagnosed,” she explained.

It wasn’t an easy lesson for Kastan to learn. After her diagnosis and treatment, she said, “I just thought you get up and move on. I expected to do exactly what I was doing my entire adult life.” Instead, she found herself exhausted, anxious and depressed.

A Type A personality, she’s working on moderation. She has learned to say no to people and activities. Her exercise routine has moderated. She has embraced naps. She and her husband, who is Dr. Michael Kastan, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Cancer Center director, are now more likely to spend weekends at home. She also asks more of her husband and three sons.

“I think about my heart disease every day. I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m a survivor.”

– Mary Powers: 529-2383

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THE BALL

The American Heart Association’s 13th Annual Black Tie Blue Jeans gala is set for Saturday at the Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. Tickets are $50 per person or $100 for the VIP package. The evening includes music, dancing and a silent auction. For more information, call 383-5400.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Kastan is scheduled to talk about and sign copies of her book at four upcoming events:

April 18, 1 p.m., at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women.

May 4, 3 p.m., at Stern Cardiovascular Center, 8060 Wolf River, Germantown.

May 10, 6 p.m., at Davis-Kidd Booksellers, 387 Perkins Ext.

May 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women lunch, Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake.

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LIFE WITH HEART DISEASE

Kathy Kastan’s book for women with heart disease includes tips and advice for women learning to live with heart disease as well as those who care about them. This advice is aimed at women returning home from a hospital stay.

Go easy on yourself. Don’t expect to be able to get right back on track.

You’ll probably have to change the way things are managed at home, and that too will take some time and adjustments.

Listen to your body and pay attention. Rest when you need to.

Let other people know how you are feeling.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

This is a good time to learn how to say no.

Source: From the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease, by Kathy Kastan.

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HEALTHY MEMPHIS BLOG

Kathy Kastan, heart disease patient, advocate and now author, will be answering your questions about living with heart disease this week on our Healthy Memphis blog. In her just-published book, “From The Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease,” the Cordova resident writes about the topics missing from many books about heart disease. They include friendships, family relationships, work, body image and advocacy.

Log on to http://blogs.commercialappeal.com/health, find the entry marked “Living With Heart Disease,” click on “Comment” and add your question or comment. She will check the blog periodically and respond.

Unsure how to participate? Call 529-2372.

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