February is recognized as American Heart Month, and the Go Red for Women movement by the American Heart Association (AHA) is encouraging awareness about unique heart health challenges faced by women at every age and stage of life. Cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer of women in the United States, accounting for nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 living with some form or heart disease or stroke.
On National Wear Red Day, observed on February 2nd each year, scores of people and landmarks across the country 'go red' to raise awareness about this critical health issue. This day is also an opportunity for individuals to take action by learning about risk factors and celebrating survivors.
However, despite increased efforts in raising awareness around women's heart health, there remains a concerning trend of misdiagnosis or dismissal of symptoms among women. According to experts at the Women's Heart Alliance (WHA), women complaining of heart attack symptoms are twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness than men presenting similar symptoms.
Dr. Martha Gulati, scientific advisor for WHA, stated that 'we're still living in an era where women are getting misdiagnosed... we're missing women and sending them away from the emergency room telling them their hearts are okay or not even examining their hearts.' This is resulting in poor outcomes for women.
The signs of a heart attack can be subtle and different in women than men, which may contribute to this issue. Women should know the unique signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the United States. It is crucial for healthcare professionals and individuals alike to understand these risks and take appropriate action to prevent this deadly condition.