Jun 13, 2000
Guidant Supports Capitol Hill Briefing on Women''s Health and Cardiovascular Disease

Briefing Serves as a Call to Action to Address Significant Health Concern

Indianapolis, IN - In an effort to provide increased visibility to a growing public health crisis-cardiovascular disease among American women-Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a global leader in the medical technology industry, partnered with the Washington Hospital Center, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to host a Capitol Hill Briefing on Women, Heart Disease and its Impact on Minorities.

The briefing, held in Washington, D.C., served as a call to action for health care providers, payors, academia, industry and policymakers to take the necessary steps to increase patient and public awareness, facilitate research and establish policies to address this significant health concern.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among American women. In fact, coronary heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer, AIDS, domestic violence and stroke combined. However, studies show that women still do not recognize their risk and are unaware that their symptoms are different from men''s symptoms. Women are also less likely to seek treatment when faced with these symptoms, and are less likely than men to be referred for diagnostic testing and treatment by their physicians. Further, studies show that this risk is extraordinarily higher among minorities, particularly African-American and Hispanic women.

"Never before have there been so many lifesaving and life-enhancing innovations in cardiovascular care," commented Ginger L. Graham, Guidant Group Chairman, and moderator of the briefing. "Medical technology companies, like Guidant, are committed to developing novel, innovative therapies that can help women (and men) with heart disease live longer, healthier lives. But women with heart disease can''t benefit from these innovations, unless they know they have the condition or are at risk."

Through a panel of distinguished experts, the briefing attempted to address the perplexing questions relative to women''s cardiovascular health. The speakers included Congresswoman Maxine Waters of Los Angeles, who is the lead House champion of the Women''s Cardiovascular Diseases Research & Prevention Act; Congresswoman Julia Carson of Indianapolis, Indiana, who is a heart disease advocate for women; Representative Donna Christian-Christensen of the Virgin Islands, who serves as Chair of the Health Brain Trust; Dr. Patricia Davidson, Cardiologist, Washington Hospital Center, who is a nationally recognized leader and speaker on women and heart disease issues; and Mary Margaret Valenti, a heart disease survivor and spokesperson.

During the briefing, Congresswoman Julia Carson connected the dots between data and real people by sharing her story regarding her personal battle with cardiovascular disease. "I can not overstate the importance of knowledge?knowledge of the disease, the symptoms and the options for treatment," she commented. "Without persistence and self-diagnosis, countless women miss the opportunity to access the wonderful technologies that are currently available to treat this debilitating and deadly disease."

A global leader in the medical technology industry, Guidant Corporation provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease. For more information on Guidant''s products and services, visit the company''s web site at http://www.guidant.com.