Women and cardiovascular disease: the risks of misperception and the need for action.

Abstract

A new American Heart Association survey1 raises serious concerns about our effectiveness in the critical first step in preventing heart disease in women—the challenge of raising awareness among women about their No. 1 health threat. The survey, which included 1004 women and updated data from a 1997 survey, reached across all ages and ethnic groups and brought to light important information on how women perceive their health risks, how much they worry about them, and where and how they are receiving information about heart disease and stroke. Most women (62%) still believe cancer is the greatest health threat for women, and the younger generation is even more convinced of this. At a distant second, <10% of women overall perceive heart disease as their greatest threat. This belief is in direct contrast to the facts. In 1998, cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of 503 927 women and cancer caused 259 467 deaths; thus, cardiovascular disease killed nearly twice as many women.2 However, there have been notable changes in women’s understanding of cardiovascular disease since 1997. The majority of these changes are in a positive direction. The number of women who consider themselves either very well or well informed about heart disease and stroke has risen since 1997, although it is still <50%. Knowledge of heart disease increased from 34% to 40%. Knowledge of stroke increased from 28% to 35%. In many other ways, women’s understanding is still high. Most women (92%) know heart disease develops gradually and can go undetected, and they know (86%) that some forms of heart and vascular disease may result in a stroke. A majority of women (86%) also know that certain treatments in the first few hours after the onset of heart attack or stroke symptoms can break up blood clots to reduce damage …