By: Sahra Mohamed
A new report from the Heart & Stroke Foundation reveals that women are at a significantly higher risk of dying from heart attacks and strokes due to disparities in medical treatment and diagnosis. The report highlights a troubling imbalance in the way women are treated in the healthcare system, stemming from a lack of awareness and knowledge about the female body among medical professionals. According to the report, a woman with multiple heart related symptoms is less likely to receive prompt and accurate treatment. Furthermore, the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke in women are often less obvious than those in men, making diagnosis more challenging. The Heart & Stroke Foundation also states that women face more difficulty recovering from a stroke. Patrice Lindsay, the director of health systems at the foundation, explained that women are less likely to make a full recovery. She also noted that many women lack proper health benefits through their jobs and feel immense pressure to care of their households, children, and elderly family members, which can delay recovery and prevent them from seeking the care they need. “Our vision is to live in a world where all women receive the care they need when it comes to their heart and brain health,” says Doug Roth, CEO of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. “This starts by making significant investments in research that will drive health systems change and have tangible impacts for women.” Doug further emphasized the importance of changing the healthcare landscape for women. “Heart & Stroke is excited to be working in partnership with CIHR-IGH and Canadian heart and brain researchers to transform the health system for women. We believe that care for women’s heart and brain health should be sex and gender appropriate, equitable, culturally relevant, and safe.” Women’s health remains significantly unde researched, underfunded, and misdiagnosed at a much higher rate than that of men. To improve outcomes, substantial investment in research is required. More women need to participate in clinical trials, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and treatment options tailored specifically to women’s health needs.
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Amazing article! Definitely gives me something to think about.