Deaths due to cardiovascular disease in women greatly outnumber deaths from all other causes.  In every year since 1984, cardiovascular disease has taken the lives of more women than men.  Unfortunately, the gender gap is widening due to the slower rate of decline of heart disease among women when compared to men.
 
Why is this?

In years past, women were not typically included in major clinical trials to study response to various preventive measures or management strategies.  Through a growing number recent gender specific studies, however, physicians are learning more than ever about heart disease and how it affects specifically women.  These studies have revealed important gender differences in heart disease with respect to risk factors, clinical presentation, appropriate evaluation, and management strategies.  In addition, recently there has been new proposed legislation in congress which is aimed at making heart disease and stroke more widely recognized in women while improving data reporting standards.  It is called the HeartDeseaseEducation, Analysis and Research, and Treatment (HEART) for Women Act.  This act will implement several strategies and initiatives to raise awareness of women and heart health.

Another
cause of the “gender gap” is that the clinical presentation and symptoms of heart disease in women varies considerably from that in men.  Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms, particularly abdominal, neck, back, and shoulder pain as well as shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue.  Because a myth exists that suggests women do not suffer from heart disease as much as men, these symptoms are often mistaken for other problems and heart disease remains undetected.

Most concerning is that once women develop heart disease, we have a less favorable outcome than our male counterparts.  This poorer prognosis, once we are diagnosed with heart disease, makes it imperative to practice aggressive prevention and early detection of heart disease.   Adherence to a healthy lifestyle and the education of women to become informed consumers has the potential to immensely improve the health and well being of American women.

The medical community is becoming increasingly aware of the risks of heart disease in women but we as women also need to take responsibility and become educated in order to identify our own risks and symptoms heart disease.  If you are interested in a risk assesment or more information about women and heart disease you can contact Dr. Bertsch or Dr. Peterson to set up an appointment.