The Women’s Heart Health Initiative is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges women face in cardiovascular health. Our mission is to close the gender gap in diagnosis and care by advancing research, innovation, and awareness of heart conditions—particularly coronary microvascular disease (CMD), a leading cause of chest pain that is often underdiagnosed in women. Through collaboration with healthcare providers, researchers, and industry leaders, we aim to deliver solutions that enable earlier detection and improved outcomes for women around the world.
Changing the Future of Women’s Heart Health
Improved Diagnostics and Care Tailored to Women
Women face unique challenges in cardiovascular care, which often result in delayed or missed diagnoses:
- Heart disease causes 1 in 5 female deaths, yet awareness of its impact among women is low.1
- Women are 50% more likely than men to be misdiagnosed following a heart attack, leading to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes.2
- Conditions like coronary microvascular disease (CMD) often present with atypical symptoms and go undetected by standard diagnostic tools, particularly in women.
Why these gaps persist:
Research has historically focused on male populations, and diagnostic protocols often fail to consider gender-specific symptoms and risk factors. Through the Women’s Heart Health Initiative, we aim to close this gap by fostering research and educational programs that advocate for improved diagnostics and care tailored to women.
(Sources: CDC, British Heart Foundation)
What We Do
Education, Collaboration, and Research Advocacy
- Promoting Awareness: Educating women and healthcare providers on the warning signs, symptoms, and gender-specific risks of cardiovascular disease.
- Advocating for Better Diagnostics: Supporting research and initiatives that push for improved diagnostic tools to detect conditions such as CMD.
- Collaborating with Leaders in Health: Partnering with medical institutions, researchers, and public health organizations to advance clinical practices and bridge knowledge gaps.
Coronary Microvascular Disease
A Silent Threat to Women
Coronary microvascular disease affects the heart’s small blood vessels and is often missed by traditional diagnostic tools. Unlike large-vessel coronary artery disease, CMD does not always involve visible blockages, making it difficult to detect through standard tests like angiography. Women, particularly postmenopausal women, are at a higher risk of developing this condition.
We believe that through greater education and advocacy for improved diagnostic practices, the outcomes for women with CMD can be significantly improved.
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Join the Initiative
Collaborate with us to advance women’s heart health. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, or organization, your involvement can make a difference. By working together, we can transform the landscape of cardiovascular care for women.
Disclaimer
This page is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not promote or endorse any specific product or commercial service. The content shared here aims to raise awareness and advocate for better research, diagnostics, and care in women’s cardiovascular health.
1 National Center for Health Statistics. Multiple Cause of Death 2018–2021 on CDC WONDER Database. Accessed February 2, 2023
2 PubMed Gender Bias in Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review. 2024 Feb 15;16(2):e54264. Doi