Key points from article :
Heart disease, often misperceived as a "man's disease," is the leading cause of death among women, according to a new consensus published in the journal Heart. Despite medical advances, thousands of women die unnecessarily from cardiovascular disease (CVD) because they are underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underrepresented in clinical trials. Experts argue that misconceptions about women's risk of CVD lead to inadequate medical care, with women less likely than men to receive timely diagnosis or proper treatments for risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
A key factor contributing to the disparity is the widespread cultural and societal belief that men are at higher risk of heart disease, coupled with unconscious biases within the healthcare system. These factors result in women’s heart symptoms being dismissed or misdiagnosed. The statement, created by 33 health experts from the British Cardiovascular Society, calls for urgent change, including the establishment of women’s heart champions and specialized heart health centres to reduce preventable deaths.
Additionally, the experts highlight the need for better representation of women in clinical research, as their unique physiology can affect both diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Addressing these gender inequalities could significantly lower death rates, with the statement emphasizing that many of these deaths are preventable if women receive appropriate care.
