Women's Heart Health: Understanding and Addressing the Unique Challenges
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, accounting for one in three deaths each year. However, many women are unaware of their risk factors for heart disease or the unique challenges they face. Unique challenges to women's heart health Women face a number of unique challenges to their heart health, including: Hormonal changes : Hormonal changes throughout a woman's life, such as pregnancy, menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can increase the risk of heart disease. Social determinants of health: Women are more likely to experience social determinants of health that can increase the risk of heart disease, such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and exposure to violence or trauma. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) masquerading as other conditions: Women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms of CVD, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea, which can be mistaken for other conditions, such as asthma, ...