Cabrini Urges Women to Prioritise Heart Health
Heart Week 6-12 May: Cabrini working to close the gap in heart outcomes for women as 20 women per day die of coronary heart disease in Australia.
This Heart Week, Cabrini, alongside esteemed interventional cardiologist Dr. Swati Mukherjee, is raising awareness of the alarming prevalence of heart disease among women and advocating for improved recognition, diagnosis, and treatment to minimise disparities in heart outcomes for women.
Research by the Heart Foundation shows almost every hour of every day an Australian woman dies of coronary heart disease on average that equates to 20 women a day. However, alarmingly, women are less likely to receive treatment for heart attack or chest pain in hospitals compared to men.
Approximately 16, 000 Australian women per year* succumb to cardiac-related issues. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death among women globally. Five times more women than breast cancer die of heart disease, yet it often goes under-recognised and under-diagnosed.
Dr. Mukherjee, one of the few female interventional cardiologists in Australia and New Zealand, is dedicated to researching gender disparities in heart disease outcomes and identifying effective interventions.
“Heart disease can occur at any life stage including in young women, but the risk for women increases significantly around menopause. There are also sex-specific factors that can increase a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease, including pregnancy complications,” said Dr. Mukherjee.
Ischemic heart disease (IHD), characterised by reduced blood flow to the heart, poses a significant threat to women’s health, with outcomes often poorer compared to men.
As Heart Week unfolds, Cabrini urges all women to prioritise their heart health and take proactive steps to reduce the risk of heart disease.
What can women do to reduce the risks?
Dr. Mukherjee emphasises the importance of regular Heart Health Checks with general practitioners (GPs) to assess individual risk factors for a heart attack or stroke.
“These checks, which only take 20 minutes, are crucial for understanding and mitigating the risk of cardiovascular events.
Prevention remains the cornerstone of effective heart health management,” said Dr Mukherjee.
Lifestyle modifications, such as reducing smoking rates and addressing obesity, are also essential components of effective heart health management.
By raising awareness, fostering collaboration between healthcare providers and patients, and promoting lifestyle modifications, Cabrini and Dr. Mukherjee aim to create a future where heart disease no longer claims countless lives.
For more information about Cardiac care at Cabrini, visit our Cardiac Services page.