HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN
Heart Disease in Women
Until recent times, most research about prevention and treatment of vascular disease has been mainly looking at white men. We know that women can present with somewhat different symptoms and that doctors have been less effective at diagnosing and treating women with heart disease. There are a number of reasons suggested for this, including hormonal changes and gender bias.
SCAD and TAKO TSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY
These two conditions are more common in women, and can occur without the usually understood risk factors of vascular disease (eg high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, family history and high cholesterol). Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is caused by a tear in a coronary artery and presents with heart attack symptoms. Both this condition, and tako tsubo cardiomyopathy can occur in younger women and be precipitated by intense emotional distress.
Research
There is now more research being done into heart disease in women, and more specific investigations and treatments will eventually be implemented.
All the usual risk factors still need to managed, such as hypertension, diabetes, and healthy lifestyle. There are also screening tests to assess risk including coronary calcium CT score, and non invasive testing such as stress echo testing.
References
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11883-022-01046-2
https://www.bmj.com/content/382/bmj-2023-075031
https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/heart-conditions-in-women-umbrella-review#!/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/18/why-gender-is-at-the-heart-of-the-matter-for-cardiac-illness