Women and heart health

On the eve of World Heart Day, health professionals in Pakistan convened to address the alarming heart disease mortality rate among women, which now stands the highest in South Asia. The findings, published in JACC: Asia, revealed that Pakistan's female death rate from ischaemic heart disease is 4.4%, compared to 3.1% for men. This disparity reveals that heart disease is not solely a male concern, challenging the common belief.

Risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, inactivity, and poor diet significantly contribute to cardiovascular diseases in women, but current screening and preventative care are insufficient. Many women only seek medical attention when symptoms become severe, often resulting in severe complications. The issue stems from a lack of prioritisation of women's cardiovascular health, particularly during critical periods such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.

Women with risk factors like diabetes and obesity need regular assessments, not just treatment when they become unwell. Misconceptions about heart disease primarily affecting men can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Routine screening is crucial, particularly for women already dealing with one or more risk factors. Pakistan's healthcare system must bolster its primary and secondary cardiovascular care network, as tertiary cardiac hospitals cannot handle the increasing number of patients who could have benefited from early diagnosis and treatment.

Women themselves must also recognise the importance of their health and seek timely medical help, maintain physical activity, and adhere to prescribed treatments. The 'Her Heart Matters' campaign aims to raise awareness, but its true success will be measured by whether more women are screened, diagnosed earlier, and receive continuous care. Prevention should start long before a woman even reaches the emergency ward.