Women miss out on heart disease research, treatment

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Although more women than men die of heart disease in Europe, there is a lack of awareness of the problem.
Heart disease has long been considered a male condition. Yet, according to London-based cardiologist Ghada Mikhail, 55 per cent of women die of heart disease compared to 43 per cent of men in Europe. But many women think breast cancer is a bigger worry.

According to Dr Mikhail, the symptoms of heart disease tend to be different in women. They are less likely to seek medical help and they present to their doctor rather late, therefore, in the disease process. Moreover, they are less likely to be offered the right investigations and there may be a delay in offering the appropriate treatment.

Moreover, it seems that women are under-represented when it comes to research into heart disease. All of this means that there is a need for better education and awareness for women and their doctors about heart disease. Risk factors need to be controlled and there must be better access to diagnosis and treatment, says Dr Mikhail.

Source
British Medical Journal 3rd September 2005 Volume 331 pages 467-468

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