Lecture Notes: Women and Heart Disease

Key Points

• Heart Disease as Leading Cause of Death

  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, surpassing respiratory diseases and all cancers combined.
  • There is a lack of regular heart health checks for women despite the high risk.

• Underdiagnosis and Misdiagnosis

  • Women are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed during heart attacks compared to men.
  • Early heart disease research primarily focused on men, leading to a gap in understanding women-specific symptoms and needs.
  • 2/3 of research historically focused on men.

Symptoms and Diagnosis Challenges

• Atypical Symptoms in Women

  • Women can experience atypical symptoms like indigestion, shortness of breath, and radiating pain not commonly recognized as heart attack signs.
  • Women are more likely to be told their symptoms are non-cardiac or related to anxiety.
  • Women often have microvascular disease, which is less detectable with traditional diagnostics.

• Research and Reports

  • The 2018 "Misunderstood Report" by Heart and Stroke Foundation highlighted systemic issues in diagnosing and treating women.
  • There is a higher occurrence of microvascular heart disease in women than men.

Personal Stories and Experiences

• Patient Experiences

  • Many women shared experiences of being misdiagnosed or dismissed by healthcare providers.
  • Stories of repeated visits and being given treatment for non-related conditions like tendinitis or anxiety.

• Family History and Personal Impact

  • Personal anecdotes of family history showing significant heart disease, often undiagnosed until severe.
  • Women recount struggles with heart disease, their fight for proper diagnosis, and the emotional toll.

Systemic Issues and Improvements Needed

• Healthcare System Flaws

  • Diagnostic tools are often calibrated to male heart standards, leading to misinterpretation of women's heart health.
  • Lack of sex-specific protocols and understanding in medical education and practice.

• Proposed Changes

  • Advocating for early heart checks, similar to mammograms for breast cancer screening.
  • Need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals about women's heart health and symptoms.
  • Encourage women to trust their instincts and push for proper testing and care.

Conclusion and Call to Action

• Empowerment and Advocacy
  • Women are encouraged to assertively communicate their symptoms and demand appropriate care.
  • Highlighting the importance of research and education to improve understanding and treatment of heart disease in women.
  • Personal commitment to raising awareness and improving outcomes for future generations.