Heart Disease - John C. Fulop, MD

WOMEN, HEART DISEASE AND STROKE FACTS:
by….John C. Fulop, MD FRCPC FACC

The major objectives of the Women, Heart Disease and Stroke initiative are:

· to raise awareness of women’s issues regarding heart disease and stroke;
· to raise awareness about research needs regarding heart disease and stroke;
· to raise funds for research and health promotion programs

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is currently the only health organization educating Canadian women about the signs, symptoms and risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation made the first call for research proposals in the areas of heart disease & stroke in women and is currently funding 9 projects.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF):

· Heart disease and stroke (HD&S) is the #1 killer of both Canadian men and women: in 1993, 40,513 males died from HD&S vs. 38,381 women.
· 40% of all female deaths are due to heart disease and stroke (compared to 37% of all male deaths).
· 4 out of 10 deaths in women are from heart disease and stroke.
· After age 45, the number of women who die from HD&S increases four-fold.
· 8 times more women will die from HD&S than from breast cancer.
· When the HSF asked women, "What is the most serious health problem facing women today?", 70% said breast cancer, 14% heart disease, 7% aids, (1996).
· There is evidence that heart disease among women is not treated as aggressively as among men (e.g. rate of referral for bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty).
· Women who smoke have a two to five-fold greater risk of having a heart attack and double the risk of having stroke.

Women who are hospitalized from HD&S have longer hospital stays than their male counterparts (especially for stroke).

If you have problems or concerns about the health care system or about your own care, you can call the ECMS (519) 256-4611, and we will try to help. If you have a complaint or a bit of praise, tell us and we will help to resolve the problem, or pass along the positives. As you ask us questions on the web site, we will begin to post more answers as we begin to know your concerns.

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