Women and cardiovascular disease - what needs to change to improve matters?
Dec 31, 2024
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Professor Vijay Kunadian, an expert in interventional cardiology, shares insights on improving cardiovascular health for women. He highlights the unique challenges women face in diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of participation in clinical trials. The discussion covers gender disparities in cardiac rehabilitation, emphasizing the need for flexible options that consider family dynamics. Kunadian also addresses regional inequalities in care and the necessity of incorporating sex-specific risk factors for better health outcomes.
Women with cardiovascular disease face significant disparities in diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the urgent need for tailored healthcare approaches.
Unique physiological factors and socioeconomic challenges contribute to worse outcomes for women, emphasizing the importance of personalized and inclusive treatment strategies.
Deep dives
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Cardiovascular disease is a leading health concern among women, yet it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated compared to men. The conversation highlights that approximately 3.6 million women in the UK suffer from ischemic heart disease, while disparities in care lead to higher mortality rates. Factors contributing to these disparities include delayed access to emergency care and misdiagnosis, with women often being dismissed due to atypical symptoms such as nausea or general malaise. The document aims to raise awareness about these issues and promote collective action to address the differences in treatment outcomes for women.
Risk Factors and Their Impact on Women's Health
Women typically present with fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors than men, yet certain factors like hypertension and diabetes pose greater risks. Specific physiological aspects unique to women, such as those related to menopause and conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, can exacerbate the likelihood of cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, smoking increases coronary artery disease risk for women by 25%, and diabetes raises the fatality rate of coronary artery disease by 50% when compared to men. Recognizing these unique challenges is crucial in reshaping preventive and treatment strategies for women's cardiovascular health.
Addressing Disparities in Care and Treatment
Regional disparities within the UK healthcare system contribute to unequal access to treatment for women facing cardiovascular disease. The conversation discusses how women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience worse outcomes, compounded by factors like domestic violence and lifestyle-related risk conditions. The consensus document emphasizes the need for awareness, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment approaches tailored to women’s specific needs, including promoting inclusion of women in clinical trials. Promoting flexible cardiac rehabilitation programs aimed at women with responsibilities at home is also essential for improving post-event recovery and long-term health outcomes.
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Vijay Kunadian from Newcastle, UK. They discuss a consensus
document about advancing access to cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment among women with cardiovascular disease. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a podcast review wherever you get your podcast - it's very helpful to us!