Many women not properly informed of heart risk by their doctors

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/acoc-mwn032116.php

Public Release: 23-Mar-2016
Many women not properly informed of heart risk by their doctors
Survey shows women are less likely to get recommended monitoring, often told to lose weight
American College of Cardiology

Although nearly three-quarters of women taking a recent survey had one or more risk factors for heart disease, a startlingly small proportion--just 16 percent--had actually been told by their doctors that these factors put them at risk for heart disease, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.

Medical guidelines recommend anyone with a heart disease risk factor should receive regular blood pressure and blood cholesterol checks, as well as counseling on smoking and heart-healthy lifestyle changes. The survey revealed many women were not given proper follow-up care and that many were simply told to lose weight.

In addition, nearly half of the survey participants admitted to canceling or postponing a health appointment until they could lose weight, suggesting a focus on weight management could present a significant barrier to receiving proper health care.

•••••