In the last thirty years, the number of women with cardiovascular diseases has progressively increased, where the most prevalent age group can be observed between 20 and 59 years. In addition, there are peculiarities that should be better studied and analyzed, but females represented only 38% of all individuals analyzed between 1965 and 1998. Nowadays, according to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, this number remains the same.
“This happens because women’s cardiovascular health is often neglected. Unfortunately, when someone of the female gender is admitted to a hospital with complaints of tiredness, sleeping problems and shortness of breath, it is very common to associate them with psychological problems. For every 100 women between 25 and 40 years old, 42 of them do not have chest pain when they have a heart attack and therefore have their diagnoses wrong”, warns Dr. Salete Nacif, cardiologist at Hcor.
According to the document “Positioning on Cardiovascular Health in Women”, females are more susceptible to anxiety-depressive disorders, which increases twice the risk of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). Despite the emotional triggers, other particularities such as pregnancy, menopause, autoimmune diseases and genetic predisposition are specific risk factors for women to develop a cardiovascular problem.
Dr. Salete warns that cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. Fruit and vegetable intake, low alcohol consumption, non-smoking and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week are required. In addition, it is also important to keep routine exams up to date and not hesitate to seek medical help when necessary.
Post-pandemic cardiac care
Between 2020 and 2021, the peak of the coronavirus pandemic pushed many women away from routine exams. With the flexibility in 2022, the pace grew again and a 14% growth can be observed in consultations in cardiology offices. The 60 and over age group has grown considerably, while other ages have seen increases of a few percentage points. Until February 24, the queries for 2023 already meant 14% compared to the previous year’s numbers.
“We are trying to create an ongoing awareness of cardiovascular disease in women, because there are about 300,000 deaths a year. Our idea for this year is that the number of consultations grows and that more and more people can have a greater understanding of the seriousness of the matter”, concludes Dr. perch
In the last thirty years, the number of women with cardiovascular diseases has progressively increased, where the most prevalent age group can be observed between 20 and 59 years. In addition, there are peculiarities that should be better studied and analyzed, but females represented only 38% of all individuals analyzed between 1965 and 1998. Nowadays, according to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, this number remains the same.
“This happens because women’s cardiovascular health is often neglected. Unfortunately, when someone of the female gender is admitted to a hospital with complaints of tiredness, sleeping problems and shortness of breath, it is very common to associate them with psychological problems. For every 100 women between 25 and 40 years old, 42 of them do not have chest pain when they have a heart attack and therefore have their diagnoses wrong”, warns Dr. Salete Nacif, cardiologist at Hcor.
According to the document “Positioning on Cardiovascular Health in Women”, females are more susceptible to anxiety-depressive disorders, which increases twice the risk of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). Despite the emotional triggers, other particularities such as pregnancy, menopause, autoimmune diseases and genetic predisposition are specific risk factors for women to develop a cardiovascular problem.
Dr. Salete warns that cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. Fruit and vegetable intake, low alcohol consumption, non-smoking and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week are required. In addition, it is also important to keep routine exams up to date and not hesitate to seek medical help when necessary.
Post-pandemic cardiac care
Between 2020 and 2021, the peak of the coronavirus pandemic pushed many women away from routine exams. With the flexibility in 2022, the pace grew again and a 14% growth can be observed in consultations in cardiology offices. The 60 and over age group has grown considerably, while other ages have seen increases of a few percentage points. Until February 24, the queries for 2023 already meant 14% compared to the previous year’s numbers.
“We are trying to create an ongoing awareness of cardiovascular disease in women, because there are about 300,000 deaths a year. Our idea for this year is that the number of consultations grows and that more and more people can have a greater understanding of the seriousness of the matter”, concludes Dr. perch
