Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in Ireland, a fact often overlooked as women remain under-diagnosed and under-treated for cardiac conditions. To address this disparity, the inaugural Women's Heart Summit took place on January 24th.
Summit Details
The event was hosted by Mater Private Network and the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) Dublin, with support from the Irish Cardiac Society and Irish Heart Foundation. Over 350 cardiologists, general practitioners, and other healthcare professionals attended to discuss challenges in women's heart health.
Key Disparities Identified
Women frequently experience different heart disease symptoms and responses to treatment compared to men. Historically, women have been under-represented in cardiovascular research, contributing to a systemic gap in care.
Dr. Róisín Colleran, Consultant Cardiologist at Mater Private Network, stated that heart disease in women has been a neglected area despite its prevalence. She attributed these issues to gaps in understanding, gender bias, and varying symptom presentation.
"Heart disease in women has been a neglected area despite its prevalence." – Dr. Róisín Colleran
The summit aimed to highlight these disparities and integrate women's heart health into clinical practice, research, and education.
International Contributions
Prof. Roxana Mehran from Mount Sinai Hospital, and President-Elect of the American College of Cardiology, presented findings from the Lancet Commission report, "Heart Disease in Women: Under-recognised, Under-diagnosed, Under-treated." This report detailed global systemic challenges and necessary changes for equal cardiac care for women.
Prof. Julie De Backer of Ghent University Hospital discussed European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for managing cardiovascular disease during pregnancy. She emphasized prevention as the most effective method for managing cardiovascular disease and highlighted the role of education in empowering women to recognize risk factors, understand symptoms, and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Topics Covered
Sessions at the summit explored various aspects of women's heart health, including:
- Heart failure in women
- Spontaneous coronary artery disease
- Breast cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity
- Heart health during menopause
Forward Outlook
Dr. Colleran articulated the summit's goal to advance the prevention, recognition, and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women by integrating evidence, education, and innovation. This initiative by Mater Private Network aims to improve outcomes for women in Ireland and internationally, reinforcing its commitment to cardiovascular care excellence.
A recording of the summit will be made available to medical professionals via Medcafe.ie and materprivate.ie.