Heart attack in women: Why they are often taken seriously too late

Heart attack in women: Why they are often taken seriously too late

Würselen, Deutschland - In Germany, 18,000 women are victims of a heart attack every year, and the numbers increase! Tragically, their symptoms are often not taken seriously, which leads to a higher death rate. Regina Wellmer, 60, is an example of this alarming reality. She suffered from heart problems for ten years, but doctors pushed her symptoms on hysteria and prescribed psychotropic drugs instead of cardiac medication. Your history is not an isolated case, but part of a worrying trend that disadvantages women in medical care.

The cardiologist Michael Becker founded the first women's heart center in Germany in October 2018 to counteract this grievance. Around five women come to him with heart problems every day, and the evaluations show that many similar symptoms have that are often misinterpreted. While men typically feel stinging pain in the chest, women often complain about back pain, nausea or shortness of breath - symptoms that are often overlooked. These differences in the symptoms mean that women are less likely to be treated in good time, which drastically reduces their chances of survival.

The terrifying reality for women

A current analysis shows that after a heart attack, women die more than twice as often as men. In the age group of less than 55 years, an average of 95 minutes take care of treatment in the clinic, while men are cared for faster. In addition, women are rarely offered an EKG or a blood test, which further tightens the situation. The German Heart Foundation warns that cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in women, and yet the risk of suffering a heart attack is often underestimated.

Becker criticizes the ignorance of many colleagues and demands better training in gender medicine. Women should not only listen to their symptoms, but also actively look for medical help. Time is forced! Regina Wellmer finally found its way to the women's heart center and now receives the right treatment. Her story is a call to all women to take their health seriously and not be taken away from doctors!