Accelerating action for women’s heart health

Accelerating action for women’s heart health

What women need to know about sudden cardiac arrest

This International Women’s Day, we’re called to step forward in solidarity to Accelerate Action for gender equality. But gender disparities don’t just exist in the workplace, education, and leadership.

Research from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and Ambulance Victoria reveals that only 5% of women experiencing cardiac arrest receive defibrillation, compared to 10% of men.

That means, women are half as likely to receive life-saving treatment in a sudden cardiac arrest emergency.

Sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate by gender, but the response to it does.

Why? Because people are uncomfortable with exposing and touching breasts, even though it could mean the difference between life and death.

Women face unique risks

At the same time, women face unique risks when it comes to heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest, and for women, the warning signs can be more subtle than in men. This means they often delay seeking medical attention because they may not recognise the symptoms or may not even be aware they are at risk.

What are the symptoms in women?

While chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom for both sexes, women are more likely to experience less obvious signs such as:

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Pain in the neck or back

What increases a woman’s risk of sudden cardiac arrest?

Several factors make women particularly vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrest, including:

• Heart disease and underdiagnosis – Subtle symptoms lead to delayed recognition and treatment.

• Hormonal changes – After menopause, declining oestrogen levels increases a woman risk of heart disease.

• Psychosocial stress and mental health – Higher stress, anxiety, and depression impact heart health.

• Delays in emergency response – A witness is less likely to provide CPR and/or defibrillation for a woman.

These risks, combined with the hesitation to act during an emergency, create a dangerous gap in survival rates for women experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Accelerate action

The fact is bystander CPR and defibrillation double the chances of survival, so we need to break down the barriers to witness intervention for women.

By working together to educate, equip, and empower bystanders to act regardless of gender, we can save lives and ensure equitable access to life-saving interventions during sudden cardiac arrest emergencies.

Simultaneously, women need to be empowered with knowledge about their risk of heart disease and the importance of early intervention.

So, this International Women’s Day, let’s accelerate action, not just for equality in opportunity, but for equality in lifesaving care.

Make an appointment to get your heart checked today.