Canadian healthcare professionals unaware that sex matters in heart disease

"Physicians are short-changing Canadian women when it comes to taking care of their hearts, says Dr. Susan K. Bennett, delivering the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Lecture at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2008. 'Doctors need to hear the message about the significant deficits in women's heart health care and bridge this gender gap,' says Dr. Bennett, director of the women's heart program at George Washington University Hospital. She says that as the public's awareness and knowledge about women's risk factors and warning signs increases thanks to increased public awareness campaigns, more and more women are going to their doctors with their concerns. Yet often, she says, their healthcare providers are not up to date on how women can experience heart disease differently than men. "Healthcare professionals need to be educated about women's cardiovascular issues and meet the public's expectations," says Dr. Bennett" - CNW