In an ongoing battle to raise awareness about heart disease among women, five prominent cardiologists have shared their insights and concerns regarding the lack of crucial information reaching women when it comes to their heart health. Despite being the leading cause of death for both men and women, heart disease continues to be understudied, underdiagnosed, and undertreated in women.

According to the cardiologists, women are more likely than men to skip regular heart-health screenings and underestimate the warning signs of a heart attack. This disregard has led to an increase in heart disease-related deaths among women aged 29 to 45, as mentioned by Dr. Noel Bairey Merz, attending cardiologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Dr. Merz emphasized the need for women to advocate for their own heart health by actively engaging with healthcare providers. She urged women to ensure their concerns about heart health are heard, whether it be through asking doctors to perform EKGs during emergency room visits or discussing heart-related matters during annual check-ups.

Another cardiologist, Dr. Jennifer Mieres of the Piedmont Healthcare Corporation, highlighted the significance of pregnancy as an indicator of future cardiovascular health. She advised women who experienced complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, to seek a cardiac workup and prioritize preventive care, including managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Addressing concerns about cholesterol-lowering medications, Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute stressed the importance of recognizing the proven benefits of statins in reducing the risks of heart attacks and strokes. She encouraged women to prioritize their cardiovascular health by taking prescribed medications and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Holly Andersen, senior vice president of Northwell Health's Center for Equity of Care, expressed her dream of encouraging more women to undergo heart disease screenings even before exhibiting symptoms. By monitoring key indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glucose levels, healthcare providers can estimate a person's short-term and lifetime risk of heart disease.

Lastly, Dr. Karol Watson from the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center drew attention to the higher incidence of cardiovascular disease among Black Americans. In addition to traditional risk factors such as hypertension and obesity, Dr. Watson highlighted the importance of considering other factors like chronic stress and sleep quality in assessing heart disease risk. She emphasized that women of color must recognize heart disease as their number one health risk and be proactive in discussing their unique risk factors with doctors.

Despite decades of awareness campaigns, the cardiologists believe that women still aren't receiving the message about the significance of heart health. Their mission is to change this by urging women to take an active role in their own care and encouraging healthcare providers to address the specific needs of women when it comes to heart health.

As the battle to prevent heart disease in women continues, it is essential for individuals and communities to spread awareness and collectively work towards reducing the preventable deaths caused by this pervasive disease.