I am so grateful to have the opportunity to use this platform and my Talk Ten Tuesdays segment, “My Talk,” to shine a spotlight on an issue that affects so many lives yet doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
For today, I chose to focus on a topic of critical importance: the pervasive impact of cardiovascular disease on women, and the urgent need to address the health disparities that contribute to this crisis.
Last week, on Friday, Feb. 7, people across the nation came together for National Wear Red Day,® as part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement. This annual event, held duringAmerican Heart Month, is more than just a day to wear red; it’s a call to action to confront the leading cause of death for women – cardiovascular disease.
The Impact of Cardiovascular Disease on Women
Cardiovascular disease remains the greatest health threat to women in the United States. Nearly 45 percent of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. Yet shockingly, only 44 percent of women recognize heart disease as their number-one killer. For women from historically underrepresented racial groups, such as Black women, who face significantly higher risks and worse outcomes than their white peers, awareness is even lower.
These disparities extend beyond awareness to inequities in care delivery, access to effective treatments, and the availability of diverse data in research. This gap contributes to at least one-third of the overall women’s health gap in our country.
Women’s Symptoms are Different and Subtle
Too often, heart disease symptoms in women are dismissed or misunderstood, not just by patients, but by healthcare providers. Unlike the stereotypical “Hollywood heart attack” of clutching the chest and falling to the ground, women’s symptoms are often subtle. They might experience:
- Discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or stomach;
- Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness; and
- Fatigue or cold sweats.
These symptoms can be mistaken for less severe conditions, thus delaying critical care. Recognizing these differences is vital.
The Economic and Health Potential of Closing the Gap
If we act now to close the cardiovascular disease gap, we could save lives and strengthen our economy. Addressing heart health at every life stage could result in women regaining 1.6 million years of quality life by 2040. The ripple effect would also boost the U.S. economy by $28 billion annually, thanks to individuals leading healthier, more productive lives.
Cardiovascular Disease in Maternal Health
It’s also worth noting that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the United States. Pregnancy-related conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and hypertension significantly raise a woman’s risk of heart disease later in life. By ensuring proper screening and post-pregnancy care, we can reduce these risks and improve outcomes for mothers and their families.
The Role of Representation
Awareness and education are powerful tools. A recent Journal of the American Heart Association study revealed how unfortunately underrepresented women and people of color are in depictions of heart disease in popular media. Of 100 films analyzed, 90 percent of heart attack portrayals were men, and nearly all were white. Black women were entirely absent.
This lack of representation perpetuates the myth that heart disease is a “man’s disease,” leaving many women unaware of their risks. As a society, we must do better – on screen and in real life.
Progress and the Path Forward
Since its inception 20 years ago, the Go Red for Women® movement has made tremendous strides. It has funded lifesaving research, created awareness campaigns, and empowered women to take charge of their health. Programs like these have led to advancements in care, including the development of female-specific research and gender-tailored treatments.
But there is still much to be done. We need to:
- Advocate for more diverse representation in medical research and clinical trials;
- Educate women about their unique symptoms and risk factors; and
- Support equitable access to quality healthcare for all women, especially those in underserved communities.
The Power of Awareness and Action
National Wear Red Day reminded us all of the power of unity and awareness. By wearing red, we honored the women we’ve lost to heart disease, celebrated the survivors, and raised awareness to help prevent future loss. But our work cannot stop with one day.
Every woman deserves to live a full, healthy life, free from the burden of cardiovascular disease. Together, we can close the health gap, save lives, and ensure that women everywhere have the knowledge and resources to protect their heart health.
Programming note:
Listen to Angela Comfort every Tuesday when she cohosts Talk Ten Tuesday with Chuck Buck at 10 Eastern.
