More than 2.5 million women in the United States have heart
failure, and they often face a very different burden than men. Women
tend to develop heart failure at an older age; experience depression
more frequently; and, experience a greater number of symptoms than men,
including shortness of breath, swelling around the ankles and
difficulty exercising.
While there is no cure,
heart failure can be managed with the proper knowledge, treatment and
support. Today, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart
Disease, encouraged widespread dissemination of recently-updated
guidelines that include new treatment options for millions living with
heart failure. WomenHeart sees the guidelines as an important addition
to treatment efforts to achieve positive outcomes for women with the
disease.
‘Together with patient education and support, WomenHeart sees potential in expanded treatment options to provide women with heart failure the important tools needed to feel empowered to face the disease each day.’
"Successful treatment and management of heart failure must include
interventions in the home and community, as well as the doctor's
office," said Mary McGowan, CEO of WomenHeart. "WomenHeart is encouraged
to see that women with heart failure have more treatment options, and
applauds the updated guidelines as a way of increasing the education and
support for women living with heart failure."
The guidelines were issued in 2016 by consensus from the American
College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and Heart Failure
Society of America. Representatives from these groups revised the
standing guidelines to include two new medications approved by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 as safe and effective treatments
for heart failure. The recommended medications are meant to relax blood
vessels, reduce (biological) stress and improve the function of the
heart.
In women with heart failure, the heart is too weak to keep up with
its workload. In some cases, the heart can't fill with enough blood. In
others, the heart can't squeeze with enough force. Many women have both
problems. These updated guidelines are a critical and important addition
to the field because about half of those who develop the condition die
within five years of their diagnosis.
Since its inception, WomenHeart has provided a broad spectrum of
patient support programs nationwide that include in-person support
groups; one-on-one support; hospital visitation; online and telephone
support and now Virtual Support Networks. Along with expanded medication
options for some patients in the new treatment guidelines, women with
heart failure now have more resources than ever to receive support.
"Living with heart failure can be a confusing and isolating
experience," McGowan said. "That's why we must continue to improve the
treatment approach - including social and emotional support, patient
education and medical advancements - to provide women with heart failure
the important tools needed to feel empowered to face the disease each
day."
Source: Eurekalert
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