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Experts at the Smit Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai examined decades of research and found significant gaps in our understanding of the complexity of heart disease in women compared to men. Despite advances in cardiovascular research, as Natalie Bello, MD, MPH, and Susan Cheng, MD, MPH highlight in a recent Perspective article in Circulation Research, there are still significant challenges ahead. We have a long way to go and highlight historical oversights in cardiovascular disease in women. Staying healthy and imagining future advances in this field.

In a conversation with Cedars-Sinai Newsroom, Bello emphasized that it is critical for women to understand the nuances of cardiovascular health. Cancer, particularly breast cancer, often accounts for the majority of women’s health concerns, but statistics highlight a sobering reality. This means that heart disease exceeds all cancers combined as the leading cause of death in women.

Certain subgroups of women, especially those who experience complications during pregnancy such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, face increased cardiovascular risk. These conditions not only cause immediate health problems, but also significantly increase the likelihood of future heart disease, highlighting the importance of active cardiovascular management from a young age.

The trajectory of women’s heart health research has been reshaped by pioneers like C. Noel Bailey Mertz, MD, whose pioneering efforts have focused on gender disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. . Through initiatives like the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center, we are raising awareness of gender-specific cardiovascular disease and revolutionizing our approach to care.

Translating research into concrete solutions is evident in innovations like an FDA-approved blood test developed by Cedars-Sinai researchers that provides insight into a woman’s risk for pre-eclampsia. Guide clinical decision-making during pregnancy. These advances represent Cedars-Sinai’s commitment to promoting heart health in women.

For women, active efforts toward cardiovascular health begin early, with regular evaluations recommended starting at age 20. Understanding your personal risk factors and practicing a healthy lifestyle, including smoking cessation, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep, can significantly reduce your cardiovascular risk.

Historical oversight of women’s cardiovascular health can be traced back to the early 20th century recognition that heart disease primarily affected men. This misconception, combined with social factors such as smoking trends, perpetuated the view that heart disease is primarily a men’s concern and impeded comprehensive research efforts on women’s cardiovascular health.

The lack of diversity in scientific research has further exacerbated oversight and highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping research questions. Enabling women to advocate for their health through grassroots efforts, philanthropy, and open dialogue with health care providers is critical to driving meaningful change in women’s cardiovascular care.

The pursuit of gender-equal health care requires amplifying women’s voices and ensuring that the medical community recognizes women’s unique cardiovascular disease needs and responds with the urgency and attention that women deserve. It’s essential.


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