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On this day dedicated to love, the foundation Agir pour le Coeur des Femmes highlights a series of strong and inspiring testimonies on women who have gone through a cardiovascular accident. A way of talking about the always known obvious: women can suffer from heart disease too, and taking care of it can save your life.
Emilie, 36, experienced a tako-tsubo when her husband died; Isabelle, 57, saved a friend’s life by taking her heart symptoms seriously; Carole 46 years old, discovered that she was having a heart attack… In total, the foundation Agir pour le cœur des femmes publishes on this Valentine’s Day the testimony of 6 women impacted in one way or another by an accident cardiovascular. Six women standing today, for having made the right decisions regarding their hearts and having consulted a professional in time. Because yes, the hearts of women are as touched as those of men, if not more.
Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women
Diseases of the environment and lifestyle, cardiovascular diseases are no longer reserved for men. They have even become the leading cause of death among women, with 200 deaths per day in France, notes the foundation.
Even more striking, these women are affected at younger and younger ages, from their forties, as a result of changes in their way of life (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, overweight, stress, etc.). Result: hospitalizations of women aged 45 to 54 in France for myocardial infarction are increasing by 5% per year.
At the same age, women have more risk factors than men, with thinner and more fragile arteries. They are also subject to specific risk situations during the three key phases of their hormonal life: contraception, pregnancy and menopause. These risk factors specific to women linked to their physiology with atypical symptoms, including the lack of time to take care of themselves and the lack of dedicated prevention contribute to this increase in the number of cardiovascular accidents. Yet 8 out of 10 deaths could be avoided with effective prevention.
“Ladies, listen to yourself”, an essential message
The stories shared have a purpose: most women who have experienced a cardiovascular accident agree to become “hummingbirds” of cardiovascular prevention. They then invest in the cause, in their family, friendly and professional universe. They are no longer ashamed to speak out in the media and on social networks, with their faces uncovered.
The foundation also announces good news: 8 out of 10 cardiovascular accidents can be avoided by active prevention with regular screening of risk factors to optimize treatment. It remains to be aware of the risks involved.
“More than 80% of women are more concerned about the health of their loved ones, postpone their medical appointments in 7 cases out of 10 and push their limits to remain at the service of their family, despite their major mental burden, like little soldiers. everyday. Too strong, women, but so vulnerable. Ladies, listen to yourself and take care of yourself!” calls Pr Claire Mounier-Véhier, cardiologist and vascular doctor at the University Hospital of Lille, co-founder of Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes.
In parallel with this campaign, several months ago the foundation launched the Women’s Heart Bus, which travels from town to town to offer free screenings for cardiovascular diseases as close as possible to women. In 16 months, the bus has already screened nearly 5,000 women. He will hit the road again on March 8 in Cannes and will do 15 stages in the year.
Find all the dates of the tour here: https://www.agirpourlecoeurdesfemmes.com/bus-du-coeur.php