Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the UK. With symptoms going unnoticed or diagnosed too late, it’s more important than ever for women to recognise the signs and take their heart health seriously.
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the fantastic contributions of female emergency responders, raising awareness of women’s heart health, sharing practical solutions for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and tackling the barriers that stop women from receiving CPR when they need it most.
The Role of Female Emergency Responders
Women have played an integral role in emergency medical services (EMS), driving the innovation in cardiac care to providing critical pre-hospital care. Whether paramedic, nurse, doctor, or first responder, these women labour day and night, saving lives, and at their own expense, ignoring their own medical needs.
For example, a study shows that female paramedics experience greater job stress, increased working hours, and physical stress, all of which are negative for their cardiovascular health. These risks being realised is the starting point of guaranteeing that lifesavers also get what they need for a healthy heart.
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Heart disease, alas, is more deadly to women in the UK than breast cancer, though still underdiagnosed. Women also have a higher likelihood of dying from a heart attack than men, which is why it is so important to spot early signs.
- Chest pain (which is not necessarily severe)
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or dizziness
- Jaw, neck, back, or stomach pain
- Unusual tiredness
These symptoms, for the reason that they are often mild or typical, can result in women seeking medical assistance late. Also, certain forms of cardiovascular disease, like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are women-specific diseases which require them to be tested from time to time so that these do not increase the risks of developing CVD at a later date.
Heart Disease Prevention: Tailored Strategies for Women
Prevention through lifestyle adjustments and medical screening for cardiovascular disease is imperative. Practical adjustments women can make to improve cardiovascular health are available.
- Leisure time such as the introduction of mindfulness exercise, physical activities, and the creation of support systems may be beneficial to the alleviation of stress.
- Prioritise your health: Keep an eye on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars for anything abnormal to you.
- Be active: At least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week is the amount promoted by the British Heart Foundation in order to stay healthy.
- Know your family history: Genes can play into risk factors, so discussing preventive care with your doctor is important.
- Know the signs of heart disease: Keep yourself informed about the signs of heart disease and keep an eye on your health for any quick interventions in emergency situations
Equip With the Right Lifesaving Tools and CPR Techniques
While education and awareness are necessary, proper lifesaving equipment is also a must. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR skills are essential to have in the event of a cardiac emergency.
Studies on AEDs show that women are less likely than men to receive prompt intervention from bystanders.
Initiatives such as the Bra Off Defib On campaign launched by Jenny Legg, tackle the phobia of using defibrillators on women, raise public awareness, and stress the use of AEDs on women without hesitation.
Here at WEL Medical, we are dedicated to making life-saving interventions more available. Our products, like the iPAD AED, are easy to use and perfect for quick response during emergency situations. In public spaces, access to defibrillators can maximise vital seconds and save more lives.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025
This International Women’s Day, let us join in solidarity and shine a light on women’s heart health.
How You Can Get Involved:
- Show appreciation for female emergency personnel and value their contributions.
- Discover the crucial symptoms of heart disease in women and share that with your peers, loved ones, and colleagues.
- Fight for wider availability of AEDs and CPR courses at your place of work or in your locality.
By raising awareness and informing women with the proper knowledge and life-saving equipment, we can have a future where more cardiac emergencies are survived by women.
Ready to Strengthen the Chain of Survival?
If you’re looking for support in enhancing your organisation’s training or resources, WEL Medical can help. We provide a range of lifesaving equipment, from CPR training manikins to defibrillators. With flexible finance options available, we aim to keep our solutions as accessible as possible.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to find out more about how you can make a difference in your community.
