Thousands of women are dying from heart disease each year due to the misconception that it is a “man’s disease.” Doctors and scientists warn that this belief is costing women’s lives. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for women globally. Despite advances in medical treatments, many women are dying unnecessarily because they are underdiagnosed, undertreated, and under-represented in clinical trials.
Experts recently issued a consensus statement to address these issues. It was developed by 33 leading health figures from the British Cardiovascular Society. Their goal is to close the gender gap in heart care and improve health outcomes for women with CVD in the UK and across the world. They also called for dedicated women’s heart health advocates and specialized heart hubs to reduce the preventable death toll from heart disease.
Underdiagnosis and Treatment Disparities
Heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are common in both men and women. However, experts say these conditions are often not treated as seriously or as quickly in women. This delay is dangerous, as these risk factors contribute to nearly half of all preventable deaths from CVD.
Moreover, women face additional challenges. Cultural, societal, and financial issues increase their risk of heart disease. Experts point out that women’s unique biology, including their body shape and physiology, impacts their heart disease risk. It also affects the accuracy of diagnostic procedures and the effectiveness of treatments.
Gender Bias in Heart Health
Both healthcare professionals and the general public often believe women are at lower risk of CVD than men. This false belief contributes to the underdiagnosis of heart disease in women. The consensus statement points out that myths and unconscious biases continue to influence clinical decisions, preventing women from receiving timely and proper care.
All too often, women’s symptoms of heart disease are dismissed. They are told their issues are minor or unrelated to the heart, when in reality they may be experiencing serious cardiovascular problems.
Women’s Voices Overlooked
The experts’ report highlights that women are frequently under-referred for heart treatment. This lack of attention leads to poorer health outcomes and higher death rates. According to the statement, women are also significantly under-represented in CVD research, further limiting their access to proper care.
Professor Vijay Kunadian, the lead author of the statement, emphasized the urgency of this issue. “Heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, is the number one killer of women in the UK and worldwide,” she said. “Yet women’s symptoms are being ignored or misdiagnosed, even when they may be suffering from a heart problem.”
Kunadian also noted that global data consistently shows that women are receiving less treatment for heart disease than men. This discrepancy leads to higher death rates for women after heart attacks.
Call for Change
Kunadian stressed that lives are being lost needlessly. “If women received the correct treatment, their lives could be saved,” she said. She urged healthcare providers and the public to stop assuming heart disease is just a men’s condition.
In the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care has promised to prioritize women’s health, acknowledging that it has been neglected in the past. Changing perspectives on women’s heart disease could save countless lives worldwide.
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