State of the heart: building science to improve women's cardiovascular health

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular health in women
• Sex-based disparities in heart disease

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
• Significant disparities exist in CVD prevalence and outcomes between sexes and among different groups of women.
• Coronary heart disease (CHD) is notably underdiagnosed, undertreated, and under-researched in women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of scientific knowledge regarding women and heart disease.
• To identify key gaps in research and remaining questions.
• To propose a research agenda for the next decade to address women's cardiovascular health needs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on sex-based physiology, provider bias, and psychosocial influences.
• Analysis of existing evidence on primary and secondary prevention strategies.
• Identification of areas with the greatest potential for impact on women's cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Main Results:

• Women are less likely than men to receive diagnostic tests and procedures for suspected heart disease.
• Sex-based biases persist in the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI).
• Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular research, and face challenges in recognizing and acting on MI symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Implementing current scientific knowledge on heart disease in women could significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.
• Addressing sex-based physiology, provider bias, and psychosocial factors is essential.
• A focused research agenda is needed to close critical knowledge gaps and improve cardiovascular care for women.