February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness for heart disease and advocate for better treatment, research, and care for hearts across the country! Did you know that although heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, research often underrepresents and overlooks female data? Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Hill, has provided some explanation on why understanding heart disease is crucial, especially for women.
Women and Heart Disease: The Numbers
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and new mothers, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. More than 60 million women in the U.S. are living with some form of heart disease. Statewide, heart disease accounts for 30% of all female deaths, amounting to 23 women each day. According to Dr. Hill, “The risk of heart disease for women is significant, but many women are unaware of how important it is to prioritize heart health. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in the U.S., as well as most races and ethnic groups.”
Why Women’s Risk for Heart Disease is Noteworthy
Several key facts underscore the specific focus of women and heart disease. “Equal representation in clinical research is essential, yet women remain underrepresented in cardiovascular disease data,” says Dr. Hill. Clinical cardiovascular trials include less than half of female data, leading to women largely being underrepresented and overlooked in clinical studies. This leads to less information about women’s specific risk for heart disease, treatment, and prevention methods.
Women are also statistically more likely to die after a heart attack than men, and Dr. Hill comments, “studies also show that women are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander, in part due to stigma surrounding women’s bodies.”
How to Know if You Are at Risk
Dr. Hill emphasizes the importance of collaborating with a healthcare provider to identify and mitigate the risk of heart disease. “It is critically important for everyone, including women, to take steps to identify cardiovascular disease risk factors and make changes to protect their hearts. These risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Talking with a healthcare professional can help you track your numbers and make heart-healthy choices.”
By understanding your risk factors, you can work closely with your provider to reduce your risk and engage in more heart-healthy activities, such as regular physical activity and a balanced diet, to protect your heart.
Looking for a healthcare provider? The Jane Pauley Community Health Provider offers comprehensive healthcare regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. We were also recently named an American Heart Association CKM Groundbreaker, underscoring our dedication to the management of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome, which affects the heart health of nearly 90% of American adults.
Karen Hill, MD, FACP, FAAP, is the Chief Medical Officer at the Jane Pauley Community Health Center. Dr. Hill’s decades-long career has spanned both clinical practice and healthcare administration. She received her MD from the University of Cincinnati.
