RAISING AWARENESS
Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death of women in the U.K?
Coronary heart disease kills more than twice as many women as breast cancer, and there are currently more than 3.5 million women in the U.K living with heart disease and approximately 28,000 women die every year from a heart attack.
Our charity aims to promote awareness of the different types of heart problems and the symptoms (which can differ from those in men). By providing information, broadening education and assisting with guidance for both patients and medical professionals, we hope to improve these statistics.
PROVIDING AND IMPROVING ACCESS
We are committed to improving the patient journey, from disease awareness to detection and diagnosis, through to treatment and recovery.
Compared to men, women with heart disease are frequently under-diagnosed, under-treated and under-supported. There is insufficient awareness among the public and physicians of gender specific symptoms and presentation of CVD. Where disparities exist in the treatment of women and heart disease, we are focused on filling these gaps, leading to better outcomes for women and their hearts.
By providing and improving access to care we hope to solve unmet patient needs.
PROMOTING CLINICAL RESEARCH
There has been an historical failure to ensure gender balance in cardiology research, women being significantly underrepresented, and we need a far greater inclusion of women in clinical trials for coronary heart disease and heart failure. There are significant biological distinctions between men and women and research should reflect this.
These failings to take a balanced approach have led to significant flaws in the care of women with heart disease and have cost the lives of many women.
FUNDRAISING
We raise funds through various programmes and initiatives to enable better education about women and heart disease and to provide funding into much needed research. We would love you to get involved with Women's Heartbeat in any way you can - organise or take part in a fundraising activity or simply donate. We depend on your support to save lives, improve lives and provide better heart health for generations of women to come.
"Because women don't look like men, they don't look like that male-pattern heart disease that we've spent the last 50 years understanding ... they're not recognized for their heart disease."
Dr. Noel Bairey Merz
Director, Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center
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