Health Professionals

As a health professional, you know that heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death in Canada. But did you know that women are at a higher risk of death from these diseases than their male counterparts?

Women’s rates of heart disease and stroke have been climbing steadily, even as men’s rates have fallen. For the first time in 30 years, women have caught up to men when it comes to the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease.

Awareness is the key to reversing this trend.

The Heart Truth campaign, launched by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, aims to educate and raise awareness among women about their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Many women don’t know the warning signs of these diseases and they don’t know how important it is to make lifestyle changes and take actions that protect their health.

But they may also be more vulnerable because they are under-served on the medical front lines. Because some doctors and other health care professionals don’t see women as being at high risk for heart disease and stroke, they may not refer them to treatment as quickly, or as often, as they do for men.

New studies indicate that women are referred to a cardiologist following a heart attack less often than men, and women have higher in-hospital mortality rates after a heart attack. They are less likely to be transferred to another facility for treatment, less likely to undergo cardiac catherization or revascularization, and they receive life-saving procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery and angioplasty less frequently than men.

You can help effect a change in women’s risk profiles by educating them about their risks and by helping to ensure that they have equal access to the treatment they need.

GET PATIENT ASSESSMENT TOOLS that help you and your patient assess their unique risk profile for heart disease and stroke and tailor an effective, targeted prevention program.

READ IMPORTANT RESEARCH and learn about the newest treatments and latest information on heart disease and stroke among women.

BECOME A HEART HEALTH LEADER and share the truth among the women in your community. The Heart Truth Community Action Kit includes everything you need to coordinate and lead a presentation on The Heart Truth for women in your community.