It’s scary and hard to believe that as of only a few decades ago, very little research was being done regarding women’s health. The “bikini” philosophy (mammogram and pap smear) was all the healthcare that was promoted for women as of the late 1990’s. In between the reproductive organs and the mammary glands are a lot of organs and body functions that were being ignored. Any medical research on heart disease only involved men and a woman’s role was to take “care of the man in your life”. (There was even a pamphlet published in the 60's that instructed women on how to take care of their man with heart disease!) Even after the researchers agreed to look at women and heart disease, the prevention and treatment strategies were based on evidence that came from research performed with predominantly middle-aged men. Health care providers were doing very little to prevent heart disease in women such as counseling them on a heart healthy diet, weight loss or becoming more physically active. The health care providers were also less likely to refer women to cardiac rehab following a heart attack or bypass surgery. In essence, women’s health was ignored.
Beginning in 2003 and continuing into 2004, the American Heart Association took a stand and established Go Red for Women, a national campaign to raise awareness on all levels about heart disease and strokes as leading killers of women and to advance the science of gender differences in heart disease. The AHA recognized that women wouldn’t and didn’t go to their health care providers for information and support (we can only guess why)so they went to commercial sources instead. The AHA grabbed onto that trend and ran with it, establishing a forum for women to turn to for information and advice. Only 23 years ago! Awareness was raised, women started paying more attention to their health, especially heart health.
Where are we now? Sadly, women are still not receiving the care they need to prevent heart disease and strokes. As of 2025, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women. It kills more than all forms of cancer in women combined and approximately 56% of women don't know that this is their number 1 killer.
According to a 2024 article published by the American Heart Association -"...and a staggering 70% of physician trainees report they aren't getting enough, if any, education in gender-based medical concepts during postgraduate medical training. In a nationwide survey, only 22% of primary care doctors and 42% of cardiologists said they feel extremely well prepared to assess cardiovascular risks in women." Unbelievable.
According to www.heart.org - What are the four silent signs of a heart attack in a woman?
Here are five that you might not expect:
• Dizziness, light-headedness or feeling faint. ...
• Nausea, indigestion, or vomiting. ...
• Shortness of breath. ...
• Sweating or a cold sweat. ...
• No warning signs at all.
A few things you can do to help yourself and other women:
• Get checked by your doctor to determine if you have heart disease and/or any of the contributing factors. If so, be proactive and make positive changes to your lifestyle.
• Consider becoming more active on a regular basis. A little daily activity goes a long way!
• Take a look at the Mediterranean Diet and see what you can start changing in your diet – small changes have big effects. (http://www.my.clevelandclinic.org/.../16037-mediterranean...
• Share this information – you just might save a life!
