Nazli Parast
RN, CDE, BScN, MScN, EdD,
Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre
Lisa Comber
Knowledge Translation Manager,
Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre
The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA), powered by the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, has been a leader in advocating for more research into women’s heart and vascular health.
While there have been important strides, there are still many gaps in understanding the specific risks women face. This article aims to shine a light on those gaps and explain why more inclusive research is crucial.
Underrepresentation in Clinical Trials
One major issue in women’s heart and vascular health research is the lack of women included in clinical trials. For years, most cardiovascular research has focused on men, leading to important gaps in our understanding of how heart and vascular diseases affect everyone. Women often experience different symptoms and risk factors for heart and vascular disease, but many studies fail to account for these differences. As a result, current treatment and prevention strategies may not be as effective for women.
Unique Risks for Women
Women face certain health risks that affect their heart and vascular health, yet these factors are often ignored in research. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), complications during pregnancy (such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes), and menopause all impact women’s hearts. These issues are common but not studied enough, leaving women with fewer options for prevention and treatment.
Mental and Emotional Health
Stress, depression, and social isolation are more common in women and contribute to heart and vascular disease. Societal pressures and caregiving roles make women more vulnerable to these mental health challenges. However, many heart and vascular health studies don’t consider these emotional and social factors, which means women may not get the full support they need for their heart and vascular health.
Economic Disparities
Socioeconomic status plays a huge role in heart and vascular health. Women with lower incomes often face higher risks because they have less access to healthcare, healthy food, and safe places to exercise. Unfortunately, much of the research doesn’t take these disparities into account, leading to a “one-size-fits-all” approach that doesn’t address the needs of vulnerable women.
A Call for Change
To close these gaps, it’s vital that future research puts women at the center and looks at all the unique risk factors they face. This means designing studies that specifically address women’s heart and vascular health issues, focusing on the impact of mental health and economic factors, and creating health strategies that meet the needs of all women.
The CWHHA is dedicated to pushing for these changes. By highlighting these overlooked risks, we can move toward better, more inclusive care for women’s heart and vascular health. Only through this kind of research will we improve outcomes for all women.
For more on how the CWHHA is driving change, visit our website at CWHHA.ca.
