Washington, DC (January 24, 2003) - The first-ever national survey of women heart patients found more than half (52%) were dissatisfied with some aspect of their healthcare, particularly physician communications styles. Most reported difficulty making necessary lifestyle changes due to inadequate information and social supports, or lack of insurance coverage for nutrition counseling and weight management services. The results of the survey were published in the January/February edition of Women's Health Issues.

Over one-half (57%) of the women said they had suffered a mental illness as a result of their heart disease, with 38% reporting clinical depression, 17% reporting anxiety, and 21% reporting both. Many women described feeling socially isolated or without social support systems, and that "no one understood what [they] were experiencing." In addition, 27% said their relationships with their families had deteriorated following their cardiac diagnosis often because they could not adequately perform their responsibilities at home.

"These are very disturbing results. Only 35% of the women patients initially recognized their symptoms as heart-related and 45% felt their heart disease "came out of the blue"," said Nancy Loving, WomenHeart's executive director and herself a heart attack survivor. "Women need to realize heart disease is their #1 killer and seek out healthcare professionals who are well-versed in women's cardiac risks and symptoms, as well as which diagnostic tests and treatments work best in women."

Of the women who were dissatisfied with some aspect of their healthcare, 58% pointed directly to physician attitudes and communications styles as the culprits. Specifically, they cited physician insensitivity, rudeness, abruptness, and ignorance about heart disease in women.

"This survey is a wake-up call for healthcare professionals who need to understand how much their attitudes and communication styles influence their female patients' willingness to ask questions, participate in medical decisions, and adhere to recommended treatment and lifestyle modification," said Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes of Mayo Clinic and co-author of the article. "It also underscores the need to recognize and treat the anxiety and depression that so often accompany heart disease in women."

When asked what advice they would give other women, the patients most frequently said, "Educate yourself and ask questions," and "Listen to your body and don't ignore your symptoms." While most surveyed women who had coronary artery disease experienced typical cardiac symptoms such as chest pain and arm pain or pressure, or shortness of breath, an almost equal proportion reported symptoms less commonly associated with a cardiac diagnosis, including dizziness, nausea, fatigue, or back pain. The patients also urged women to "Find doctors who are attentive, understanding and knowledgeable about heart disease in women - and follow their advice."

Surveyed women emphasized the need for early detection and accurate diagnosis of heart disease in women. To this end, WomenHeart provides copies of its new FREE brochure, How Do I Know I Have Heart Disease? A Woman's Guide to Diagnosis and Testing, to women sending an e-mail request to diagnosis@womenheart.org or writing to WomenHeart at: 818 18th Street, NW, Suite 730, Washington, DC 20006. "Some cardiac diagnostic tests are affected by women's breast tissue and the rise and fall of menstrual hormones," said Dr. Hayes. "This brochure explains why tests other than standard electrocardiograms may be necessary, such as exercise or pharmacologic stress tests, nuclear scans or echocardiograms."

The survey involved telephone interviews with 204 women heart patients and was funded by WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, the nation's only patient advocacy organization founded by and for women with heart disease. It provides support, education and advocacy services as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit public charity headquartered in Washington, DC. Web address is www.womenheart.org.

Click here to read the journal article about the survey results. (Adobe PDF reader required)