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Heart Health Inequality: Putting Women’s Hearts first
At Eugene, we are proud to support women daily as they navigate their reproductive health and their broader preventative health journey.
Did you know?
- 20 Australian women die of heart failure each day, yet women are less likely to receive treatment for chest pain in hospital. [Heart Foundation]
- Although women and men have similar rates of heart failure, women are more than 35% less likely to participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs. [Wiley Online Library]
- A 2021 Australian study found that men are twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, potentially because men are more likely to undergo echocardiograms. [ScienceDirect]
There is a significant gap in research, randomised clinical trials and clinical treatment for women with cardiac failure, when compared to men (reference). This gap exists because much of the historical research focused on caucasian males, leading to a significant disparity in how we understand and diagnose heart conditions in women. Women are often told to watch for classic heart attack symptoms—like chest pain—when, in reality, their symptoms may present very differently. Here’s what to look out for:
Heart attack symptoms in Women:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest, but not always severe or the most prominent symptom
- Pain in the back, neck, jaw, or stomach—this pain can be sudden or gradual and may come and go
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Nausea or vomiting
- Extreme fatigue, which can occur days or even weeks before the attack
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Cold sweats
- Indigestion or a feeling of heartburn
- Upper back pressure, which might feel like a squeezing or fullness
Why knowing our genetic risk matters:
- Preventative health starts with your genes. With just a simple at-home saliva test, Eugene’s Preventative Health Test screens 167 genes to help create a personalised prevention and early detection plan for conditions like cancer and heart disease.
- The test includes:
- 65 genes associated with increased cancer risk, including breast, bowel, skin, and prostate cancers.
- 83 genes that increase your risk of common types of heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and conditions that could lead to heart attack and stroke.
- 19 additional health risk genes, covering conditions such as dystonia and hemochromatosis.
- Free genetic counselling before and after the test.
- Personalised action plan to guide proactive healthcare choices with your GP.
How knowing your genetic risk empowers you: When you understand your genetic risk, you gain powerful insights into your health that allow you to advocate confidently for yourself with your medical team. Knowing your risk for conditions like heart disease and cancer helps you:
- Ask the right questions: Bring informed questions to your appointments and engage meaningfully with your healthcare providers.
- Build the right team: Find specialists who understand your genetic profile and can tailor your care accordingly.
- Proactively manage your health: Take preventative steps and access early detection strategies that could make a critical difference.
- Navigate the healthcare system with confidence: You’ll feel empowered to push for tests, screenings, and referrals when needed.
Because when it comes to your health, knowledge is power—and you deserve nothing less.
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