It’s official, women too have heart attacks
Coronary artery disease (heart attacks) kills 8.6 million women globally every year, accounting for one-third of all deaths in women. In 2008, 17.3 million people died of heart attacks, which was 30 % of all deaths globally. The deaths due to heart attacks were equal in both men and women.
Dr. Kavita Sharma and Dr. Martha Gulati, of Ohio State University, published a study in Lancet journal, that showed that not only is the burden of coronary artery disease (heart attacks) under-appreciated in women, it also develops differently than in men. For example, obesity increases the risk of heart attacks by 64 % in women but only 46 % in men.
Younger women (less than age 50 years) getting heart attacks are twice as likely to die compared to men in similar circumstances.
Older women (over 65 years of age) are more likely to die within the first year after a heart attack.
Overall, 42 % women who have heart attack die in the first year, compared to 24 % of men.
This data should ensure that heart attack is not seen as a ‘man’s only’ disease, and women get the care and preventive advice that is offered to men.
Dr. Ajay Sati.
