Listen to Her Heart: Bridging the Gap in Recognizing, Preventing, & Treating ASCVD in Women

Foley, Stephen J

Item

Listen to Her Heart: Bridging the Gap in Recognizing, Preventing, & Treating ASCVD in Women

Foley, Stephen J

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is traditionally considered a male disease, yet it is the leading cause of death in women. This may be associated with the significant lack of research of ASCVD in women, leading to poor recognition, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The American Heart Association reports that a majority of women experience prodromal symptoms more than one month before a heart attack or stroke, and these symptoms are often underestimated. This project intends to help address the question: How can earlier detection of ASCVD risk in women reduce missed signs of acute myocardial infarction/stroke and thereby reduce preventable ASCVD hospitalizations? This project also hopes to increase physician and patient awareness of and engagement with the VT Dept. of Health's "You First" program to provide supplemental heart health screens and services for women.