ISLAMABAD: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death internationally, claiming more lives than all cancers combined. For women population, heart disease presents an even graver danger, often remaining unrecognized and even underdiagnosed worldwide. Despite of the important advancements in healthcare, there remains a very dangerous misconception that heart disease is mainly a “man’s issue.” In reality, heart disease is the major cause of death among women, accounting for one-third of all women deaths across the world.
It is critical to highlight the unique issues women face when it comes to heart diseases — both in treatment as well as prevention. This article aims to increase awareness regarding the gender disparities in cardiovascular care and advocate for more proactive heart health management in women.
Since long, heart disease research as well as treatment protocols have been men-centric. The traditional symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath and chest pain are more frequently linked with men. Women, however, often experience subtler symptoms like dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and discomfort in the jaw pr neck.
Reports said that women’s hearts and arteries are smaller, which may contribute to the higher incidence of microvascular illness, a condition where small vessels malfunction or constrict, leading to decrease blood flow. Similarly, some reports suggest that hormonal factors, especially the decline in estrogen post-menopause, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease among women.
Reports said that heart disease is not just a man’s health issue. Women should also be vigilant in recognizing their unique risk factors as well as symptoms and should advocate for their heart health issue.
