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Introduction
Heart disease has traditionally been considered a man's disease. In recent years, however, this perception has been changing among healthcare providers, thanks to increased research, awareness, and educational efforts. Even with this increased attention, cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to claim more lives among women than among men, as it has since the mid-1980s.1,2 The majority of CVD deaths among both sexes are the result of coronary heart disease (CHD) (Figure 1).2
Figure 1. Breakdown of CVD Mortality
(United States, 2003)
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Facts About CAD in Women
Gender Differences
Symptoms
Chest Pain and Myocardial Infarction
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| A recent survey (published in 2004) showed that, while CVD awareness has increased among women, a significant gap still exists between the perceived and actual risk of CVD.3 In 2003, 46% of women recognized that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, up from 30% in 1997 and 34% in 2000. However, 51% of women surveyed still identified cancer as their greatest health threat (breast cancer, 35%; cancer in general, 16%),3 even though CVD kills far more women than all cancers combined (Figure 2).1
Figure 2. CVD vs. Cancer Mortality in Women
(United States, 2003)
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| Perhaps one of the most significant findings of the survey was that only 38% of women reported that their physicians had ever discussed heart disease with them.3 Therefore, although the increased attention on heart disease in recent years is certainly a step forward, we have a long way to go toward more effective recognition, diagnosis, and management of heart disease in women.
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