More emphasis needed on women’s heart health
Women and doctors in the US have not focused adequate attention on female cardiovascular health, while concerns about body weight may pose a barrier to openly discussing women’s heart health issues, researchers suggest
Although there has been a decline in overall mortality from cardiovascular disease in the United States, it has been smaller for women compared to men. The disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more women than all types of cancer combined.
According to researchers from the Washington DC-based Women’s Heart Alliance, both women and their physicians do not place adequate emphasis on their cardiovascular health, while a key barrier to these discussions may be related to the social stigma surrounding body weight. The researchers interviewed 1,011 women aged 25 to 60 years old and collected physician survey data from 200 primary care physicians and 100 cardiologists. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, revealed that 45 percent of women were unaware that heart disease was the number one cause of death in women in the U.S.
“Increasing awareness of cardiovascular disease in women has stalled with no major progress in almost 10 years, and little progress has been made in the last decade in increasing physician awareness or use of evidence-based guidelines to care for female patients,” said Bairey Merz, director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center in the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and the study’s lead author to Medical News Today.
According to the study, nearly 71 percent of women almost never express a concern regarding heart health with their physician, unless there are significant symptoms. In addition, only 40 percent of women reported having a heart assessment in their routine physical or wellness exams, and 63 percent admitted to delaying doctor visits, while 45 percent of them did so until they lost weight. This is because many women reported being embarrassed by their heart disease and found difficulties in losing weight or finding time to exercise.
This story was originally published in the Global Health and Travel issue of October 2017
Related Articles
Why laughter may not be the best medicine
Dr Julian K.B. Tan, an interventional cardiologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, explains the how strong emotions may affect the heart
Read moreWhat is a heart attack?
Dr Paul Chiam discusses the importance of seeking treatment quickly in the case of a heart attack
Read moreLatest Articles
Medical Care
Can a Stroke Lead to Dementia? What You Need to Know
Can Stroke Cause Dementia? Learn about the relationship between these two in our insightful article. Discover prevention and management strategies.
Read moreMedical Care
Clearing the Fog: Dispelling Common Diabetes Myths in Singapore
Uncover the truths and myths about diabetes with insights from Harmony Thyroid, Endocrinology and Diabetes Centre. Learn about prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies for diabetes in Singapore. Get expert guidance from Senior Consultant Endocrinologist Dr. Vikram Sonawane to navigate your diabetes journey effectively.
Read moreMedical Care
Achieving Swift Recovery: Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement
Consider total hip replacement with Alps Orthopaedic Centre's ERAS Direct Anterior Approach for faster recovery and reduced hospital stays. Learn about Dr. Jerry Chen's expertise in Singapore.
Read more
