Women's experiences of cardiovascular disease have been put at the centre of discussions with clinicians and researchers. This is the second roundtable held as part of the Ministerial Expert Panel on Women's Health that is initially focusing on women's cardiovascular health.
Clinical stakeholders were brought together to discuss improvements across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for women across Australia. More than 70 people attended the clinical roundtable, from diverse backgrounds, across clinical practice, research, consumer advocacy, primary care, specialist care, professional colleges and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services.
The roundtable looked at where women are missing out, from understanding their risk and recognising the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, to the barriers women face in getting the right diagnosis and treatment. We heard from a range of committed organisations including Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and peak bodies such as the Heart Foundation and Stroke Foundation.
It follows a recent consumer roundtable where women shared their own experiences of cardiovascular disease and care, including the importance of having their symptoms heard and taken seriously and accessing timely treatment and follow-up care.
Cardiovascular disease and stroke remain major health issues for women. More than half a million women in Australia are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease each year.
In 2023, nearly 40,000 women had a heart attack, unstable angina or a stroke and 262,000 women were hospitalised with cardiovascular disease.
In 2023-24, First Nations women had higher prevalence, hospitalisation and death rates due to cardiovascular disease and CVD subtypes when compared to non-Indigenous Australians with the disparity greater among females. First Nations women also had higher rates for heart failure and cardiomyopathy, and for acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease than First Nations men.
The insights from both roundtables will inform the Expert Panel's advice to the Albanese Government on improving women's cardiovascular health.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
"We want women to better understand their heart health and risks for stroke, know the signs that something isn't right and feel confident their symptoms will be recognised and understood by health professionals.
"We've heard directly from women about their experiences and now we've brought together health professionals and experts from across Australia to listen, learn and look at what needs to change to improve heart health diagnosis, treatment and care for women.
"Telling women to take a mild pain relief or reduce their stress when they are experiencing significant symptoms of cardiovascular disease is not good enough. Every woman should feel confident that when something doesn't feel right, she will be listened to, taken seriously and get the care she needs.
"I thank the roundtable participants for sharing their expertise and experience and bringing their positivity and passion to an area of women's health that has been under-recognised and underdiagnosed for too long."
