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2: HEART DISEASE FINAL ACC

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    The Gender Divide in Heart Health
    Messiah Bautista, Jewel Lacson, Adam Estrada, Casey Brockett
    College of Southern Nevada
    SOC 101: Principles of Sociology
    UNSDG Goal #5
    Professor Flora Rudacille

    December 7, 2025



    Heart disease is often seen as a “man’s disease.” Still, startling statistics show it has taken nearly as many lives of women as men each year, remaining under-recognized and undertreated among females. Understanding the socioeconomic, biological, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the risk of heart disease amongst women worldwide can benefit future generations. There is an urgent need for gender-specific medical approaches, along with increased awareness, to improve preventative measures that can be implemented globally, aiding in the decrease in women’s risk of heart disease.


    Regardless of your location, the biological factors that influence heart complications in the female body should have identifiable implementations that women can benefit from. Women often face different socioeconomic challenges in accessing healthcare or even experiencing higher stress levels from caregiving responsibilities. Other lifestyle factors, such as smoking and diet, also contribute significantly to the risk (Zhang et al., 2021). Women are also susceptible to comorbidities such as obesity and depression (Paluch et al, 2023). Meta-analysis has recognized that, regardless of your location and sociological environment, certain measures should be considered to improve the implementation of corrective action.

    Women’s health is influenced by different risk factors, including those related to pregnancy and hormonal changes. Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, requires careful monitoring and treatment to avoid complications in both the mother and the developing child. It increases the risk of future diabetes in mothers and can cause higher birth weights and delivery complications. Preeclampsia, signaled by high blood pressure and possible organ damage, threatens maternal and fetal health and may require early delivery. Menopause forces cardiovascular changes, increasing the risk of heart disease as a result of the decrease in estrogen levels. Hormonal therapy, commonly used to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and mood changes, produces mixed effects on cardiovascular health, making it a strong potential approach to treatment based on specific risk profiles of importance. These essential factors in women’s healthcare call for extensive approaches that highlight wellness throughout the life course.

    When looking at the differences in being diagnosed with heart disease for men and women, there are clinical symptoms that affect how long each gender can take to be diagnosed. The difference between the symptoms for men and women is that men tend to show it more easily and earlier. It is easily recognized in men physically. Their symptoms may include severe chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc. (FALLON, C. K. 2019). As for women, they show symptoms, but they are milder, including light chest pains, nausea, fatigue, and indigestion. This leads to being mistaken for other health issues like anxiety, stress, abdominal issues, and menopause etc. That can result in women being diagnosed later on, getting delayed treatment, or being misdiagnosed for other health issues. The consequences of this can lead to women not receiving the proper urgent care that they need in the earlier stages to prevent or reduce their diagnosed heart disease.

    Because of these diagnostic challenges, there are ways heart disease can be prevented and treated so that women do not have to be put at greater risk. There are benefits to women being educated about their bodies, learning about specific symptoms, and applying that knowledge to themselves. This goes along with getting themselves checked regularly at a healthcare clinic or doctor. Healthcare providers should also listen carefully to their concerns, paying attention to even their subtle symptoms and risk factors, as they play a crucial role in figuring out what diagnosis it may be. Women and men tend to get the same treatment for heart disease, like medication, procedures, and lifestyle changes. Although these are beneficial, women have different hormonal effects, and this can affect how their blood vessels may react to treatments. Healthcare providers should be advised to give out personalized treatment as women’s bodies respond differently. Focusing on gender specific treatment, which can improve heart health for both women and men, as it can avoid and may even prevent the worst effects of heart disease.

    In the long run, acknowledging heart disease as a significant concern for women conveys that it is crucial to decipher different strategies to consider the many factors that mold health outcomes. Women face more unique challenges than men, from pregnancy related possibilities to de-emphasizing symptoms that predict early detection. And with that, improving education, expanding healthcare access, and encouraging personal care can definitely play an immense part in improving women’s heart health. With more substantial awareness and unbiased treatment, the decline of heart disease around the world can lessen, which can result in a stronger and healthier population.


    References


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