Women within the UK proceed to be underdiagnosed and treated for heart disease, a Recent statement This is the conclusion from the British Cardiovascular Societies. Although there are lots of reasons for this, a part of the issue is that heart disease continues to be seen as a “man's condition.”
This is troubling, because heart disease looks very different in women than it does in men. Recognizing these differences – and why they exist – is crucial to improving the diagnosis of heart problems in women and saving lives.
There are many differences in how the guts looks and works. Between men and women.
Several studies show that it's more common in men. big heart in comparison with women. There are also some chambers inside the guts. Smaller in females.
It happens in men too. Thick heart muscle in comparison with their female counterparts. are likely to the hearts of ladies. Pump faster Although men's hearts pump more blood with each pump – to compensate for men's smaller size.
Blood vessels even have diameter and length. Allegedly smaller In women in comparison with men.
These differences within the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system directly reflect the prognosis and progression of heart disease.
Diagnosis of heart disease
Have heart disease Leading cause of death Among men and girls worldwide, including the UK. It can develop and present in dramatically other ways in all sexes resulting from their anatomical and physiological differences. Yet most of the symptoms and tests used to diagnose a heart attack have been developed based on the experience of men. It has serious effects on women.
Until recently, the everyday symptoms of a heart attack that doctors and medical examiners searched for in patients were: Chest pain. Although there are other symptoms, this is frequently what men experience once they have a heart attack.
But chest pain may not all the time be the principal symptom of a heart attack in women. A 2023 review found that along with chest pain, women who had a heart attack experienced Other “atypical” symptoms – similar to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, indigestion, upper back or stomach pain or excessive, unexplained sweating.
But the review found that these symptoms were hardly attributable to a heart attack and were patients. Commonly misdiagnosed.
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Two tests commonly used to diagnose heart attacks are also less effective in women.
The cardiac troponin test measures circulating levels of troponin—a protein released into the blood when heart muscle is broken by a heart attack. High levels of troponin Means more damage, which indicates a heart attack. But research shows that girls could be. A decrease in the level of this proteinor the degrees that will probably be detected by this test – even once they are having a heart attack.
Finally, the gold standard for Diagnosing a heart attack There is cardiac catheterization. This procedure uses a skinny tube threaded through the blood vessels to the guts to search out blockages in the massive arteries. Yet, as mentioned, women have smaller blood vessel diameters than men and usually tend to develop plaque in smaller arteries than men.
This fact may subsequently result in missed diagnosis in women, because the test is probably not probably the most appropriate strategy to diagnose heart disease in women. around 50% women Presenting with Heart disease Obstructive symptoms appear after cardiac catheterization. There are also women. Less likely than men Cardiac catheterization ought to be advisable.
The notion that men are at higher risk of heart disease has also meant that, historically, women Underrepresented in clinical trials Exploring the efficacy of heart failure medications. Women are also less likely. Cardiac rehabilitation is called for. or revascularisation (a medical procedure that restores blood flow to the guts) in comparison with men.
Recently there have been some efforts by doctors and nurses to diagnose and treat on a person patient basis. This includes precise calibration of pacemakers, small changes during angioplasty (which widen blocked arteries) and even intravascular ultrasound To higher detect heart disease in women.
Plenty of studies and clinical trials are also underway, specializing in the way to explain and enhance. Gender-related cues For current risk assessment and management strategies for heart problems.
Doctors and caregivers recognizing the differences in how men and girls treat heart disease is an excellent start. But it's clear that far more work must be done to handle the various reasons behind these disparities in care.