Cardiology specialist Dr. Çiğdem Koca stated that the misconception that heart diseases are less common in premenopausal women, leading to the belief that "being female provides protection against heart diseases," is incorrect. She pointed out that heart attacks occur equally in women and men worldwide. Additionally, Dr. Koca provided information about a study related to the topic, which revealed that after a heart attack, conditions such as stroke, further heart attacks, and loss of life are more frequent in women compared to men.
Cardiovascular diseases are quite common today and rank among the most significant causes of global mortality. Despite the perception that they primarily affect men, Cardiology specialist Dr. Çiğdem Koca emphasized that cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, continue to be a significant health problem for both genders. Dr. Koca pointed out that the misconception that cardiovascular diseases are less frequent in premenopausal women has led to the false belief that "being female provides protection against heart diseases." Dr. Çiğdem Koca, a specialist at Yeditepe University Hospitals, stated that heart attacks occur equally in women and men worldwide and that one-third of women lose their lives due to heart-related causes.
Women have 2-3 times higher risk
Drawing attention to the negative consequences, Dr. Çiğdem Koca emphasized the need for increased awareness about heart attacks and heart diseases in women. She stated, "Research presented at the 2023 meeting of the European Society of Cardiology revealed that after a heart attack, women experience stroke, heart attack, and loss of life more frequently than men." Dr. Çiğdem Koca provided the following information on the subject:
"While women have a lower risk of experiencing cardiovascular events, it is known that the rates of mortality following a sudden-onset heart vascular disease are higher. While investigating the reasons behind this, differences in the approach to heart vascular diseases between the two genders have been observed. Firstly, it has been determined that women have less access to treatments such as angiography, open-heart surgery, and pacemaker implantation. Especially in women under the age of 55, angiography and stent placement are less frequently performed in cases of heart attacks compared to other patients, leading to more adverse events and fatalities in their follow-up."
However, Dr. Koca stated that in the recently published new study, there are also clues that indicate it is not sufficient to explain the negative course in women. She said, "Regardless of the gender, after angiography and stent treatment in patients from all age groups, differences have been observed between women and men. Even if all other risk factors are taken into consideration and they receive appropriate intervention for a heart attack, the risk of stroke, heart failure, or mortality in the short and long term is 2 to 3 times higher in women compared to men."
Awareness about heart attacks and heart diseases in women should be increased!
Dr. Çiğdem Koca emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures to protect heart health in women due to the negative consequences of heart attacks. She listed the following steps for individuals to protect themselves against heart disease: maintaining a regular and balanced diet, engaging in physical exercise, and avoiding tobacco products. Dr. Koca stated, "In particular, smoking in women leads to more heart attacks than in men. It is also known that diabetes increases the risk of heart disease more in women. Therefore, effective control of diabetes and prevention of tobacco use are essential for women. In this regard, regular exercise and avoiding carb-rich foods and excess weight are crucial."
"There are specific differences for women in terms of the risk of heart disease."
Yeditepe University Hospitals' Cardiology Specialist Dr. Çiğdem Koca emphasized that there are some specific differences in terms of the risk of heart disease for women, and therefore, women in this group should pay more attention. She continued her statement as follows:
"In women experiencing hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy, the long-term risk of heart and vascular diseases increases. Women who receive these diagnoses during pregnancy should definitely continue regular follow-ups afterward and pay attention to healthy nutrition and exercise. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and early menopause (especially under 40 years of age) also make women prone to heart disease. Close cardiac monitoring of women with these diagnoses enables early measures to be taken to prevent the possibility of a heart attack. Taking care of our heart health is important for all of us. Increasing awareness among women, knowing their risk levels, and not neglecting cardiac check-ups for appropriate diagnosis and treatment are our strongest weapons to avoid these negative outcomes."
