According to the most recent data collected on heart-related deaths, 50.5 percent of all deaths caused by heart attack, stroke and heart failure occur in women - slightly higher than the 49.5 percent in men. While this may not seem like a significant difference, Dr. Jack Tu, senior scientist at Toronto's Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences says that this represents a "seismic" shift in what has always been considered a disease of middle-aged men.

 The reasons for the spike are unclear, but scientists believe there are three key factors. The number of women who smoke is now equal to the percentage of male smokers. There are disparities in the care that women and men receive, primarily because the medical profession has not typically considered women at high risk for heart disease. In addition, symptoms of heart disease in women and men can be quite different - and in fact, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is currently conducting an education campaign that points out these differences.

Moreover, when comparing heart-related deaths in older people, the differences are even more pronounced. Specifically, the Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that in 2004, the last year for which detailed data is available, 41.7 percent of all heart-related deaths occurred in women over 75, compared to 29.9 percent of men in the same age group. "Most of the heart research was done on middle-aged men because it was believed that is who would benefit," notes Dr. Tu. "But we really have to invest in research about women, and older women in particular."

There is good news, however. According to a new study led by Dr. Tu, the number of Canadians dying from heart disease fell 30 percent between 1994 and 2004. Preventive measures resulting in fewer smokers, more widespread treatment of high blood pressure and improved outcomes for such interventions as angioplasty and bypass surgery are believed to be key factors. There is still cause for concern, notes Marco Di Buono, director of research at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, who cautioned that "the sharp declines in death, while welcome, likely represent the calm before the storm." Canada is experiencing an explosion of ethno-cultural diversity, and some ethnic groups having higher rates of cardiovascular disease. This, combined with rising rates of childhood obesity, may cause the number of heart-related deaths to skyrocket once again. "There is a rocky road ahead," predicts Dr. Di Buono.

News Release: Heart disease now kills more women than men  www.theglobeandmail.com   June 24, 2009