Experts call for an end to gender bias in cardiovascular disease

Despite the fact that half of the 17.3 million deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year happen in females, women are still discriminated against when it comes to the management and treatment of this disease.

Women are more likely than men to be under-diagnosed and under-treated, mostly because the presentation, progression and outcomes of the disease are different and less understood in women than in men. 

Although there has been progress in raising awareness about CVD in women and studying the specifics of the disease, as well as in adapting CVD treatment and care for women, the gap is still too wide. 

A group of leading experts at the World Heart Federation’s World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) is calling for further research, better information for healthcare professionals and women and tailor-made treatments to bridge this gap once and for all. 

To celebrate “Wear Red Day” for women at WCC, new research is presented on women’s heart health, alongside examples of work being undertaken in several countries to improve the recognition, prevention and treatment of CVD and practical ways to provide better, targeted care for women.

Professor Linda Worrall-Carter, Director of St Vincent’s Centre for Nursing Research (SVCNR) & The Cardiovascular Research Centre (CvRC) will be presenting a new study that further reinforces the need for research and better information for women:  in a sample of 2000 Australian women, Professor Worrall-Carter and colleagues found that young women aged 35-59 years experiencing acute coronary syndromes were less likely than men to undergo coronary interventions.

Future research investigating symptom presentation of younger women as well as exploring perceptions of health care workers is needed, as it could explain the reasons of this disparity, says Professor Worrall-Carter.

“We need to ensure that all health professionals understand gender differences when it comes to cardiovascular disease.  Awareness regarding atypical symptom presentations of women and understanding healthcare workers perceptions are key to ensure women are getting the most appropriate and timely treatment, no matter their age or background.” 

Women themselves also need to be better informed:  CVD is the number one killer of women, but the risk of dying or becoming seriously harmed due to heart disease and stroke is still largely underestimated by the majority of women, who do not perceive CVD as one of their major health concerns.    

Together with its members across the world, the World Heart Federation runs the annual Go Red for Women campaign to improve women’s knowledge of heart disease and stroke so that they can take action and achieve longer, better heart-healthy lives. 

Beware of salt: spotlight of World Congress of Cardiology 2014

The World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) will convene leading experts across the world in Melbourne, Australia from 4–7 May to debate and present the latest findings in heart health.

One of the key topics to be discussed will be on the importance of national targets to reduce premature mortality related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as dietary salt guidelines.

Experts agree that most populations consume too much salt, a habit which is linked to one of the main risk factors of CVD, hypertension or raised blood pressure. Out of 17.3 million CVD related deaths each year, over half of them – 9.4 million – are linked to hypertension.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults should have no more than 5g of salt a day – less than one full teaspoon. However, in most countries the average person consumes between 9 and 12 g a day.

The majority of salt we eat is already in our food, with an estimated 75% of our salt intake in everyday processed foods such as bread, breakfast cereal and processed meats. If people were aware of how much salt was hidden in foods and adhered to the current salt intake guidelines, more than 2.5 million deaths could be prevented each year.  

 

Yet the number of CVD deaths is rising; by 2030 it is estimated to increase to over 23 million. There are increasing calls in the international community to further lower the recommended daily salt allowance to reduce premature CVD mortality.

But the question remains, what is the ideal target and how can we achieve it? At WCC, experts will discuss the benefits and feasibility of food reformulation, and low sodium and salt guidelines, and the approaches needed to encourage uptake at a national level.

“The World Congress of Cardiology is unique in its role as the global platform for cardiovascular health and outcomes-based approaches. No other Congress brings together such a broad array of regional and global leaders to share the latest science and share best practice in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease in a variety of clinical settings, benefitting patients in countries around the world,” said Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, President, World Heart Federation.

The World Congress of Cardiology is a major bi-annual international conference tackling the world’s most pressing issues in cardiovascular health and disease. With an international presence of 100 countries, attendees will have access to over 500 expert speakers, 285 scientific sessions and more than 1000 oral and poster presentations, covering the latest clinical and policy research in cardiovascular disease control.