Heart problems underestimated in women

[Posted: Thu 05/11/2009 by Niall Hunter, Editor]

The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has warned that the risk of heart disease and stroke in women is widely underrated, as they are the leading causes of death in women in Ireland.

It was responding to a new report launched today at the Red Alert for Women's Hearts conference in France which highlighted the need for gender-specific research in cardiovascular health.

Dr Kathleen McGarry, Chair of the IHF Council on Women and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) said the risk of CVD in women is largely underestimated by both the general population and the medical profession.

"This is due to the fact that women usually suffer from CVD 10 years later in their life than men."

Dr M Garry said the risk increases after menopause, partly because of ovarian hormone deficiency, together with other risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Prof Roberto Ferarri, President of the European Society of Cardiology, said there is a lack of data on women in terms of heart health simply because the majority of clinical trials are conducted on men.

He said there was a need for special clinical trials conducted only on women because their cardiovascular make-up can be different from that of men.

Dr McGarry pointed out that the safety and efficacy of several  cardiac drugs have been evaluated predominantly in men.

For more information on heart disease, click on www.irishheart.ie

See also irishhealth.com's Heart Disease Clinic here

Anonymous  Posted: 09/11/2009 13:55

Womens hormones protect them up to menpuase but after menopause that protection is lost

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