Preventing and Experiencing Ischemic Heart Disease as a Woman: State of the Science

Gender differences in a sample of people with heart disease

“…The bibliography indicates that the physical and psychosocial characteristics that distinguish men and women may influence many areas of their health, including cardiovascular health (WHO, 2016;Shah, Palaskas, & Ahmed, 2016). As a result, there is a growing trend in issuing specific recommendations for each gender as a way to meet their individual/specific characteristics (Mosca et al, 2011;McSweeney et al, 2016). Psychosocial stress has been identified as having a negative impact on CVD, both in men and women, contributing to its onset, exacerbation, progression and increase in its risk (Moser et al, 2009;Olafiranye et al, 2011;Mckinley et al, 2012;McSweeney et al, 2016).…”

“…A number of global scientific organizations have made an effort to look at men and women differently, defending particular care for each gender as each has differentiated physiological, clinical and psychosocial characteristics with differing impacts on their health. Considering this, the American Heart Association (AHA) has issued specific recommendations regarding women's cardiovascular health since 2004 (Mosca et al, 2011;McSweeney et al, 2016). Finally, it is worth mentioning that most CVD can be prevented through an effective management and approach to behavioural risk factors, especially smoking, diet, obesity, physical activity and alcohol consumption.…”

Women’s Heart Health: Differences in Heart Disease in Women Compared to Heart Disease in Men

“…Other sex differences include the influence of hormones, various functions of the heart, situation-specific responses (such as stress and altitude), hematologic indexes, and electrocardiographic and electrophysiological indexes (2). One of the most common gender issues affecting women with suspected heart disease is the delay in seeking treatment when symptoms occur.…”

“…Women of color, particularly Black women, have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and commonly delay seeking treatment. In fact, the initial presenting symptom of coronary artery disease is often sudden cardiac death in Black women (2 these differences are related to risk factors and cultural issues, but still require vigilance and increased attention by healthcare providers. The best thing that we can do as healthcare providers is to read and disseminate as much information as possible to our female patients as well as our communities about these issues related to women's heart health.…”

“…Specifically, the feeling of indigestion, the feeling of an elephant sitting on one's chest, and the sensation of pain radiating down the left arm are no longer the only symptoms in women. The seminal work of Dr. Jean McSweeney from Arkansas changed the landscape of how women specifically experience pain of a cardiovascular nature (2). Chest pain or discomfort remains a common symptom of a heart attack, but additional symptoms that may occur in women include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, as well as the neck, jaw, or stomach.…”