Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women, but women face a higher risk of death from heart disease compared to men. This difference is due to various factors, including genetic differences, hormonal factors, and gender biases in healthcare.
Women are more likely to die after a first heart attack or stroke than men, and they may experience different symptoms such as nausea, jaw pain, dizziness, and fatigue. While women who haven’t entered menopause have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than men, their risk increases significantly after menopause. Additionally, women with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of heart attack, similar to men, even before menopause.
Gender biases in healthcare can lead to underestimation of cardiac events in women, resulting in delayed or inadequate treatment. For example, clinicians may be less likely to order aggressive tests for women with borderline symptoms of cardiovascular disease compared to men. Women’s misperceptions of their own risk and lack of awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women can also hinder timely diagnosis and treatment.
Women of color face additional challenges due to lack of access to healthcare and other disparities, further exacerbating the risk of heart disease. Physiologically, cardiovascular disease presents differently in women and men, with women more likely to have multiple narrowed arteries rather than a single “clogged” artery. This difference in artery plaque composition and presentation of symptoms can lead to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment for women.
To address these disparities, it is crucial to consider how symptoms of cardiovascular disease vary by sex and gender. Using sex-specific cutoffs for blood tests and implementing tailored treatments based on individual needs can help improve health outcomes for all patients. Research in women’s health and cardiovascular disease is essential to close the gap in healthcare disparities and provide more effective and personalized care.
The Biden administration’s executive order to advance women’s health research is a step towards promoting gender-specific approaches to healthcare and improving health equity. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by women in cardiovascular disease, we can work towards reducing sex disparities and achieving better health outcomes for all individuals.