Why women experience worse outcomes than men when it comes to heart disease

Women have been found to suffer worse outcomes than men when it comes to heart disease, according to cardiologist Dr Monique Watts.

Dr Watts, who is a part of a groundbreaking clinic at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne dedicated to women’s heart health, revealed women are more worried about breast cancer and dementia than heart disease.

“We’ve found over recent years that women are doing worse after their heart attacks, they’re more likely to have another heart attack, more likely to die or have heart failure within the five years following their heart attack,” she told Neil Mitchell.

“Women don’t think they’re at risk, traditionally we’ve all felt that heart disease is a bloke’s disease, so women are more worried that breast cancer is going to get them or dementia is going to get them, but women are at risk of heart disease. Globally, it’s the number one killer of women.”

Early menopause, complications during pregnancy, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and lupus, and smoking are all high risk factors for women.

Watts implored women to be more active in seeking help when experiencing heart problems rather than neglecting the problem.

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