Gender and Social Inequalities in Awareness of Coronary Artery Disease in European Countries (original) (raw)
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The X-Factor: Global Impact of Women in the Awareness and Management of Coronary Artery Disease
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 2015
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women and a major contributor to morbidity and disability. This statement cannot be repeated enough and is often neglected. In 2008, there were 9,127,416 cardiovascular deaths in women worldwide, accounting for 33.2 % of all deaths in women. Coronary artery disease (CAD) differs in symptom presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in women compared to men. We have made great strides in diagnosing and managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. However, this progress continues to be overshadowed by the improvements made on the understanding and management of CVD in men.
Fifteen-Year Trends in Awareness of Heart Disease in Women
Circulation, 2013
Background— The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among women between 1997 and 2012 by racial/ethnic and age groups, as well as knowledge of CVD symptoms and preventive behaviors/barriers. Methods and Results— A study of awareness of CVD was conducted by the American Heart Association in 2012 among US women >25 years of age identified through random-digit dialing (n=1205) and Harris Poll Online (n=1227), similar to prior American Heart Association national surveys. Standardized questions on awareness were given to all women; additional questions about preventive behaviors/barriers were given online. Data were weighted, and results were compared with triennial surveys since 1997. Between 1997 and 2012, the rate of awareness of CVD as the leading cause of death nearly doubled (56% versus 30%; P <0.001). The rate of awareness among black and Hispanic women in 2012 (36% and 34%, respectively) was similar to that of white...
Atherosclerosis, 1998
An international survey was conducted to assess public awareness and attitudes to coronary heart disease and to establish the frequency with which certain health-related behaviours are practised in five European countries. Members of the general public (n =5013); individuals at increased risk of coronary disease (n= 2500); patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction (n= 1256) and members of their families (n= 1249) were interviewed in a study conducted in France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The survey revealed a considerable degree of indifference to coronary heart disease, despite the possession of a reasonable level of knowledge of the risks involved, even among patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction. At the same time, respondents declared themselves satisfied with the quality of advice about coronary health which they obtained from the medical profession and regarded these sources of information as highly credible. Individuals in five European countries therefore possess reasonable levels of knowledge about coronary heart disease. They also have access to sources of heart health information which are perceived as highly credible. Nonetheless, such information has a very limited impact on their practice of health-related behaviours.
Racial/Ethnic and Age Differences in Women's Awareness of Heart Disease
Journal of Women's Health, 2012
Background: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in awareness of heart disease among women according to race/ethnicity by age group, adjusted for confounders. Methods: American Heart Association (AHA) National Surveys conducted in 2006 (n = 1005) and 2009 (n = 1142) were pooled using common variables (n = 2147) and reweighted to reflect the 2010 United States Census. Surveys comprised standardized, interviewer-assisted demographic and awareness questions. Associations between racial/ethnic group and heart disease awareness stratified by age were assessed by weighted chi-square statistics; logistic regression was used for multivariable adjustment. Results: Black and Hispanic women were 66% less likely than white women to be aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.50) after multivariable adjustment for significant confounders. The percent aware among white women was 65%; awareness did not differ between black and Hispanic women (37% vs. 38%). Other significant multivariable predictors included < high school education (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.22-0.62) and income < $35,000/year (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.41-0.77). Younger women (age < 55 years) were less likely to be aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50-0.87) and were less likely to report being very well/well informed about heart disease (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.41-0.68) compared to older women (age ‡ 55 years). Awareness of heart attack signs, such as shortness of breath (34%), nausea (15%), and fatigue (7%), was low among all women. Conclusions: Racial/ethnic minority status and age < 55 years were significant risk factors for lower heart disease awareness among women, suggesting these groups should be targeted for educational programs. Awareness of heart attack signs was low among all subgroups of women.
BioMed research international, 2015
Background. The objectives of the study were to document knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of women regarding cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the determinants associated. Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of 830 women older than 18 years from the general population in Italy. Results. Almost all participants reported having heard about CVDs, and among them 89.4% and 74.7% identified smoking and high cholesterol level as risk factors. Only 26.5% identified the main CVDs risk factors. Women more knowledgeable were married and better educated and self-perceived a worse health status. Only 23% knew the main CVDs preventive measures and this knowledge was significantly higher in women who are unemployed, who are more educated, who have received information about CVDs from physicians, and who know the main risk factors. Respondents with lower education, those with at least three children, those who self-perceived a worse health statu...
Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 2010
Background— Awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been linked to taking preventive action in women. The purpose of this study was to assess contemporary awareness of CVD risk and barriers to prevention in a nationally representative sample of women and to evaluate trends since 1997 from similar triennial surveys. Methods and Results— A standardized survey about awareness of CVD risk was completed in 2009 by 1142 women ≥25 years of age, contacted through random digit dialing oversampled for racial/ethnic minorities, and by 1158 women contacted online. There was a significant increase in the proportion of women aware that CVD is the leading cause of death since 1997 ( P for trend=<0.0001). Awareness among telephone participants was greater in 2009 compared with 1997 (54% versus 30%, P <0.0001) but not different from 2006 (57%). In multivariate analysis, African American and Hispanic women were significantly less aware than white women, although the gap has narrowed ...
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are important causes of death, morbidity, and years of potential life lost in most developed countries. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess trends in knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors among patients five years after coronary angiography and to investigate the impact of educational level on knowledge level. Methods: The study included 1289 of 4391 patients admitted for cardiac events in 2008/2009 at the National Institute for Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology, Luxembourg. A follow-up study was conducted by post five years later (2013/2014). Data were obtained from 1837 of the contacted patients (with 548 reported deaths) (response rate=42%). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between educational level and knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors. Educational level was used as a surrogate for socioeconomic status. Results: In total, 39.9% of patients could list at least three risk factors in...
National Study of Women’s Awareness, Preventive Action, and Barriers to Cardiovascular Health
Circulation, 2006
Background— There is growing awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as the leading cause of death in women, but whether this greater awareness is associated with increased action by women to lower their personal or family’s risk is unknown. Methods and Results— A nationally representative sample of 1008 women selected through random-digit dialing were given a standardized questionnaire about history of CVD/risk factors, awareness of leading cause of death, knowledge of healthy and personal levels of CVD risk factors, self-reported actions taken to reduce risk, and barriers to heart health. The rate of awareness of CVD as the leading cause of death has nearly doubled since 1997 (55% versus 30%) was significantly greater for whites compared with blacks and Hispanics (62% versus 38% and 34%, respectively) and was independently correlated with increased physical activity (odds ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.83) and weight loss (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.02) in the previous ...
Indian Journal of Cardiovascular Disease in Women WINCARS, 2019
Background Women have been thought to be protected against the perils of cardiovascular disease (CVD) till late in their lives. But the literature suggests quite the opposite with CVD being a major cause of death even in young women. In contrast, the lack of awareness among women is disheartening and needs to be addressed radically. Methods The study was designed and conducted as retrospective cohort at a tertiary care center. Data was collected from patients presenting for routine cardiac health checkup over the past 15 years. The parameters observed included age at presenting, symptoms and/or signs, plus area of residence or domicile. Results A total of 32,831 patients presented for routine cardiac health checkup, of which 9,211 (28.1%) patients were women and 23,620 (71.9%) were men. On 5 yearly cumulative assessment, the mean attendance of women was 28.1 ± 2.5% as compared with 71.9 ± 2.6% men. Trend observed over the past 15 years revealed little change in the number of women v...
The Canadian journal of cardiology, 2014
Heart disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in men and women. Our understanding of heart disease stems chiefly from clinical trials on men, but key features of the disease differ in women. This article reports findings from the first Canadian national survey of women that focuses on knowledge, perceptions, and lifestyle related to heart health. A cross-country survey using an adaptation of an instrument used in the United States was undertaken in spring of 2013. Based on online (208) and telephone (1446) responses from a randomly selected sample of women aged 25 or older, a total sample of 1654 weighted percentage estimates were produced. The overall response rate was 12.5%. Just under half of women were able to name smoking as a risk factor of heart disease, and less than one quarter named hypertension or high cholesterol. Fewer than half of women knew the major symptoms of heart disease. Most women prefer to receive information on heart health from their doctor, bu...