Myocardial infarction is often perceived as a disease primarily affecting overweight men who smoke, drink, or are stressed by work. The reality is quite different, as cardiovascular diseases, and in particular heart attacks, are now the leading cause of death for women of all ages.
Studies also show that women are more vulnerable than men to these diseases, with 561 women dying from them, compared to 461 men. However, according to the Heart & Research Foundation, 801 women die from these diseases. cardiovascular diseases These diseases could be avoided through a healthy lifestyle and appropriate medical care. Therefore, how can we explain that this disease remains the leading cause of death among women, while among men it has been overtaken by cancer?
Cardiovascular diseases are caused by a buildup of cholesterol on the walls of the arteries. These deposits form plaques called atherosclerotic plaques, hardening the walls and reducing blood flow. Among the resulting conditions are angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, peripheral artery disease, and aneurysms.
To account for these disparities, the Academy of Medicine cites anatomical differences: female coronary arteries are " smaller and winding "than their male counterparts, potentially complicating treatment and" increase the complication rate.
Biases in medical care
But this biological difference alone is not enough to explain this discrepancy, the Academy of Medicine points out. In 801% of cases of heart attack, women suffer from chest pain, the most characteristic symptom of this condition. But " Women take longer before calling for help. explains Professor Martine Gilard, cardiologist and member of the Heart & Research Foundation. "Likely to have experienced significant pain in their lives (painful periods, childbirth), they may minimize chest pain and therefore underestimate these symptoms."In parallel, it has been proven that the women's pain is underestimated by the medical profession, regardless of whether the person being spoken to is a man or a woman.
The care provided is thus marked by these gender biases. Women are underrepresented in clinical trials and cardiology research in general. Therefore, treatment recommendations have been established based on a predominantly male framework.Professor Gilard continued. Women are therefore more likely to discontinue their treatment due to incorrect dosage of their medication and significant side effects..
Cardiac rehabilitation, an essential step to promote recovery and prevent recurrences, is also less frequently followed by women, who tend to put their own health after that of their loved ones.
"A delay has developed in terms of prevention."
“ A delay has developed both in terms of treatment and prevention."This is a significant concern," notes Dr. Marc Villaceque, cardiologist and member of the French Society of Cardiology. Indeed, risk factors specific to women—early puberty, pregnancy complications, contraception, menopause, physical violence—remain largely unknown to the general public, even though women are more susceptible to these risks. classic risk factorsSmoking is the most striking illustration of this: it increases the risk of heart attack by 30 additional times in women, compared to men.
Women-specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Credits: Foundation Heart & Research
“ It is crucial to strengthen prevention efforts in this area. We must inform healthcare professionals about these risk factors specific to women, which they were not necessarily taught during their studies – the average age of doctors being around 48." adds Dr. Villaceque. We must also remind women that they are all affected and potentially at risk, regardless of their age..
In France, 200 women die every day from cardiovascular disease, six times more than from breast cancer. We wish to remind women that they have the right to demand a cardiovascular check-up at all stages of their lives.Professor Ariel Cohen, cardiologist and president of the Heart & Research Foundation, added this on the occasion of the release of an awareness video Have you seen your gynecologist? And your cardiologist?" . " This approach should become second nature for women, as well as for general practitioners – just like breast cancer screenings.”Professor Cohen concluded.
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