Women’s heart health: Raising awareness and taking action

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in Canada and the US, yet many don’t realize they’re at risk until it’s too late? Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined, yet women’s heart health remains under-researched and under-discussed. This Heart Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the urgent need for awareness, better research, and improved care for women’s cardiovascular health. The Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology dedicated a special issue to this critical topic, featuring research on how heart disease affects women differently and what can be done to improve outcomes. Understanding the unique ways heart disease affects women is crucial for reducing the number of deaths, improving outcomes, and raising awareness as the first step toward change.

Here’s what you need to know to help close the knowledge gap and take action.

Lorraine Avery (left), Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin (centre left), Jackie Ratz (centre right), and Stevie Goller (right) at a Wear Red Canada event at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.

Heart disease in women is different than in men

Women tend to experience heart disease symptoms differently from men. While men may experience the well-known symptoms of chest pain and pressure, women often present with subtler signs like fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, and even jaw pain. These symptoms are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment. Understanding the unique ways heart disease manifests in women can help doctors diagnose and treat it more effectively.

Furthermore, many risk factors that contribute to the development of heart disease, such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, poor diet, and lack of exercise, affect women disproportionately. Other risk factors are more unique to women, including pregnancy complications, menopause, cancer treatment, and autoimmune disease. These factors can significantly increase heart disease risk, yet they are not always part of routine heart health discussions. Raising awareness about these risk factors is essential to reduce heart disease rates among women and improve their quality of life.

More research on women’s heart health is required

The importance of studying and understanding women’s heart health cannot be overstated. Research on women’s heart health is crucial since the majority of our knowledge today is based on research performed exclusively on men. As a result, many treatments, interventions and diagnostic tests may not accurately apply to women. For example, diagnostic tools like the standard treadmill stress test were developed based on male physiology, and may not always detect heart disease in women.

By prioritizing research specifically focused on women’s heart physiology, we can develop more accurate diagnostics, targeted treatments, and effective prevention strategies, ultimately saving lives and improving quality of life for millions of women worldwide. Without this focused research, women continue to be at risk of receiving suboptimal care that doesn’t fully address their unique needs

Working with patient partners

Jackie Ratz is a woman living with heart failure who we work closely with to promote women’s heart health. Jackie strongly believes that involving patients in heart health initiatives for women is crucial for creating care models that are truly woman-centred and effective. “When women actively participate in decisions regarding their care, policies, and the design of health services, they provide valuable insights into their needs, preferences, and challenges.” This leads to more personalized and responsive care, improves patient satisfaction, and can result in better health outcomes.

Additionally, involving women with lived experience helps to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, fostering trust and collaboration between providers and patients. By prioritizing patient input, health systems can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately create a more sustainable and equitable healthcare environment.

Jackie Ratz, presenting at a Wear Red Canada event in 2024.

Raising public awareness about women’s heart health and its risk factors is key to facilitating research recruitment, though we know this has been a challenge. One effective strategy is engaging women directly within their communities, but it’s essential that this is done with a focus on building trust and purpose. Collaborating with respected leaders within patient communities can help drive meaningful engagement. Additionally, offering community outreach through informative heart health presentations can be a useful tool, as long as the approach is pressure-free and centred on education. Another strategy could involve sharing success stories or testimonials from other women who have participated in research or community health initiatives. These personal stories can humanize the process and provide a sense of solidarity, showing women that they’re not alone in their health journey.

Jackie Ratz (left) and Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin (right) on the set of Global News Winnipeg, during an interview about Wear Red Canada events in Winnipeg.

Raising awareness for women’s heart health

While it’s clear that we need more research and focus on women’s heart health, awareness plays a key role in addressing this issue. There are several impactful actions we can undertake to educate women, health care providers and the whole family about the importance of heart health.

February is recognized as International Heart Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and encouraging people worldwide to take proactive steps to care for their hearts. During this month, various organizations and health professionals focus on educating the public about Women’s Heart Health through campaigns, and educational events. With better awareness, women are more likely to take proactive steps to manage their heart health, seek appropriate medical advice, and adopt healthier lifestyle choices. Awareness campaigns can empower women to recognize risks, demand better care, ultimately reducing the number of preventable heart disease-related deaths.

Taking control of heart health starts with education and action. Raising awareness, ensuring access to appropriate care, and encouraging heart-healthy habits are vital steps to improving outcomes. Educating women about their risk factors and offering personalized prevention strategies are key to fostering long-term health and well-being. By prioritizing women’s heart health, we can bridge this gap, reduce the gender disparities in cardiovascular care, and ultimately save lives

Take action

Heart disease in women is preventable—but only if we recognize the risks and advocate for better research and care. Let’s change the conversation this International Heart Health Month.

Header image illustration by Raneeta Thingnam.