Study: Women having heart attacks are not getting treatment quickly enough
In the United States, more than 15,000 women under the age of 55 die every year of heart disease, and researchers are trying to understand why they are not receiving life-saving treatment fast enough.
In a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, researchers interviewed 30 women between the ages of 30-55 who had been hospitalized after a heart attack. Earlier studies have shown that women wait longer to receive medical care after heart attacks, and their symptoms are often misdiagnosed when they do arrive at the emergency room. During their interviews, the researchers found that many of the women had no idea that heart attack symptoms include neck pain, indigestion, jaw pain, and fatigue, and others did not want to go to the hospital in case it was a false alarm.
"We often see it portrayed as someone falling to their knees, holding onto their chest," Judith Lichtman, an epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, told NPR. "Maybe we need to do a better job of explaining and describing to the public what a heart attack looks and feels like." She also wants to see doctors taking women seriously when they come in for medical attention, so they don't feel like they are seeking help for no reason. "I think it is really critical that we empower women to not feel any stigma or judgment," she said. Lichtman also recommends that doctors listen to women and ask about possible symptoms, and keep an eye on those who have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and family history of heart disease.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
What is NASA working on?
In Depth A running list of the space agency's most exciting developments
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'Presidential debates are more performance art than actual ways to inform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Musk clears Tesla self-driving hurdle in China
Speed Read The Tesla CEO won China's approval to introduce Full Self-Driving (FSD) cars
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published