Women are more likely to suffer or die prematurely from certain heart and brain diseases that are still misdiagnosed today, a new report revealed on Wednesday.
“We just don’t know how to treat the forms of heart disease that are more common in women,” said Dr. Husam Abdel-Qadir, chair of women’s heart and brain health at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto.
In 2019, heart disease and stroke claimed the lives of 32,271 women in the country, which is equivalent to one woman every 16 minutes, said the organization Heart & Stroke, which fights against heart disease and stroke.
The latter published a report on Wednesday, which reveals that women are at greater risk of heart disease, which is also increased by various “intersecting and overlapping” factors, such as race, ethnic origin, socio-economic status. -economic, sexual orientation, geographic location, body mass and abilities.
Women would thus be twice as likely as men to suffer from certain types of heart disease, such as myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries.
“Women who have a stroke are more likely than men to die from it; when they survive, their sequelae are more serious,” the organization said in a statement.
Because not only would women generally tend to put the needs of others ahead of their own, but their average income, which is lower than that of men, would thus affect their access to health care, education, adequate housing, healthy food and daycare.
“The stress of living below the poverty line, or very close to it, has a huge impact on women’s health,” said Dr. Inderveer Mahal, a family physician working with women in the neighborhood. Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
Ethnic origin would also influence genetic predispositions to certain diseases, while the language and cultural barrier would present “significant obstacles” in obtaining care. Same story for people living in more remote areas, who have limited access to emergency care and screenings.
“Minority stress”, experienced particularly among 2SLGBTQ+ communities, would also greatly impact cardiovascular health.
“By improving screening, education and follow-up during and after pregnancy, we could help many women reduce their future risk of heart disease,” said University of Alberta researcher Padma Kaul. by Heart & Stroke.