High risk women more susceptible than men to heart attacks

Women who have diabetes, smoke or have high blood pressure are more at risk of a heart attack than men faced with the same risks, according to a recent study published in the BMJ.

The researchers said that women should have available to them the same treatment as men, and also said that doctors should be better able to spot female patients who were at risk.

Although men are still three times more likely than women to have a heart attack, certain risk factors appear to have a greater impact on women.

Although the researchers said they did not fully understand the reasons why these factors were gender-specific, they do have some theories.

One reason could be biological factors. Type 2 diabetes, which is typically related to lifestyle factors, could have a different impact a woman’s heart.

However, the study did point out that females often do not realise they are having a heart attack, do not know the signs to look for, and they could also be receiving poorer care from doctors.

Lead author of the study Dr Elizabeth Millett, said “Heart disease also affects women and this needs to be recognised.

“Women need to be aware they’re at risk, but despite lots of campaigns, it’s still under the radar of most women.

“It’s a complicated, long-term thing to work out, probably caused by a combination of factors – both biological and social.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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