Abstract 11219: Female Patients Attending Female Cardiologist-Led Heart Clinic in Iraq: Clinical Landscape and Echocardiographic Data

Abstract

Introduction: In Iraq, traditional and tribal rules prevent many women from having access to healthcare unless being managed exclusively by female doctors. So, lack of female cardiologists (FC) in Iraq deprived many women from proper cardiovascular care.Considering the absent Women′s Heart Clinics in Iraq and lack of data on female cardiac patients,we sought to provide data regarding demographic and echocardiographic characteristics of women attending a female cardiologist-led heart clinic (FC-LHC) in a first report from Iraq Methods: Women who attended a FC-LHC were included, clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were recorded. Results: n=213, mean age (46.5±16.6)year.Hypertension (HT) and dyslipidemia were most reported risk factors.History of gestational HT was most common sex-specific risk factor (figA).Women′s comorbidities differs with their social status as HT, DM, IHD and dyslipidemia were highest in widowed women (91.3%, 43.5%, 21.7% and 39.1% respectively). Consuming fast food≥4/week was highest in divorced (33.3%) and single women (23.1%). OCP was used by 5.2% of women; in general and 10.3% of married women at reproductive age; in particular. Prevalence of DM,IHD and LV dysfunction differs according to women′s education (figB). Palpitation (46.5%) and dyspnoea (30%) were most common presentations. Cardio-Obstetric and Cardio-Oncology services were offered in 5.2% and 5.6% respectively (figC). LV diastolic dysfunction and mitral regurgitation were most common echocardiographic abnormalities (figD). Conclusion: Younger women<65 years were more frequently attending FC-LHC.Prior history of gestational HT was the commonest sex-specific cardiovascular risk factor. Increasing diversity in cardiology workforce and establishing Women′s Heart Clinics that include FC are crucial in Iraq to promote focused cardiovascular care and education and to provide data for sex-specific research in cardiovascular management and outcomes