According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease—which refers to several types of heart conditions—is the leading cause of death in both women and men in the United States. In 2020, one in five deaths was due to heart disease. Heart disease can be silent and often goes undiagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia.
The burden of heart disease is large in terms of mortality, morbidity, and social and economic (both direct and indirect costs) costs. Further, despite it being the leading cause of death for both men and women, only 56% of women recognize the risk of death from heart disease. There is a great need to raise awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, how to talk to providers, how to navigate insurance, and more.
SWHR convened an interdisciplinary Heart Health Policy Working Group of policy experts, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates for a closed, roundtable meeting on September 21, 2023. During the roundtable, the Working Group discussed policy needs and opportunities as they relate to women’s heart health across the lifespan.
