Health
Prevention
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, yet in many cases they could be avoided through effective prevention and early diagnosis. The experts at the Fondation Cœur Daniel Wagner, partner of DKV Luxembourg, are committed to cardiovascular health. They shared their knowledge and expertise with us so that we can better understand these pathologies and know what action to take.
About the author
This article is based on a presentation given by Dr Philippe Degrell , a cardiologist at the CHL, at a conference organised in collaboration with Daniel Wagner Heart Foundation and DKV Luxembourg.
Cardiovascular risk according to gender
Contrary to popular belief, women are just as affected by cardiovascular diseases as men. However, there are some differences:
- Heart attacks generally occur later in women, after the age of 60.
- But they are increasingly affecting younger women, in particular due to obesity and smoking, as the number of female smokers has now caught up with the number of male smokers.
- Following a heart attack, the mortality rate is higher for women.
Risk factors
In addition to tobacco use, hormones also play a role in cardiovascular risk for women:
- 75% of women under 60 who have had a heart attack were smokers.1
- Hormonal contraception plays a role as well: 86 % of the women who had a heart attack were taking a combined oestrogen and progestogen contraceptive despite having a contraindication for it.2
- Some cardiac pathologies arise more frequently during periods of hormonal change such as pregnancy or menopause.
Diagnosis in women
So why are heart attacks more difficult to diagnose in women?
Symptoms such as chest pain and pain radiating to the left arm are often felt by both men and women during a myocardial infarction (heart attack), but women are more likely to notice atypical or associated symptoms which complicates the diagnosis:
- Intense fatigue
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Generally feeling unwell
On average, women wait 50 minutes longer than men before seeking medical assistance following the appearance of the first symptoms; a diagnostic delay that can have serious consequences.
Finally, some cardiac pathologies that are more present in women are underestimated due to a lack of research, because women are under-represented in studies and these pathologies can therefore still be unfamiliar to some doctors.
According to the Fondation Cœur Daniel Wagner, in order to improve treatment, it is imperative that more women are included in clinical trials and to raise doctors’ awareness of these differences.
How to ensure you are well protected?
To ensure you are protected as well as possible, pay attention to any symptoms you might feel, make lifestyle adjustments to optimise your health and find sustainable solutions that can support you on your path to healthy living.
No one wants to have cardiac health problems that require treatment in hospital, but if this does become necessary, EASY HEALTH by DKV Luxembourg will allow you to benefit from a hospital stay in a first-class room, for example. This cover includes the exclusive BEST CARE⁺ service, which guarantees medical treatment quickly in the event of a serious illness, as well as an appointment with a specialist within 5 working days. If an operation is required, the insurance company will make all the arrangements for you.
Good to know: By taking out this policy while you are still young, you will benefit from a lower rate. Thanks to the increasing-age provision, this preferential rate will be guaranteed throughout your life.
The Fondation Cœur
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