Since 1997, the American Heart Association (AHA) has attempted to increase awareness about cardiovascular
disease (CVD) among women. Fortunately, great progress has been made to educate individuals about CVD
and its consequences. According to the AHA’s 2011 Guidelines for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in
Women, the misconception that CVD is a “man’s disease” has been somewhat disproved, as awareness
among the general public increased from 30% in 1997 to 54% in 2009. Unfortunately, CVD continues to be the
leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Since 1984, the number of deaths related
to CVD in women exceeded those in men. In the United States, CVD death rates among women aged 35 to 54
years appear to be increasing by 1% annually, which is most likely attributable to the escalating obesity
epidemic. According to the AHA, even though CVD is the number 1 cause of death among women, only 13% of
women perceive CVD as a health threat. CVD is responsible for more deaths among women than the next 3
leading causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. Due to the ongoing prevalence of CVD,
increasing awareness and understanding of CVD, especially among the female population, is still a top priority
for many health care professionals. As one of the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists are in
a pivotal position to educate and inform their patients of the risks associated with CVD, possible drug therapies,
and preventive measures. The AHA has set a goal for 2020 to improve cardiovascular health in all Americans
by 20%, while reducing deaths from CVD and stroke by 20%. According to the American Heart Association, in
the United States a woman dies of some form of CVD every minute and more than 1 in 3 females have some
form of CVD. Studies have demonstrated that gender differences may play an important role in the diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of CVD. Unfortunately, many women may not always recognize the warning signs
and symptoms of a heart attack because they sometimes appear more subtle when compared with those
typically experienced by men. Results from a study of 515 women who had heart attacks report that 43% did
not experience any type of chest pain or pressure during the heart attack. Although the classic symptoms
include chest pain, tingling in the left arm, sweating, and shortness of breath, women may also experience
some “atypical” symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting, and pain in the
neck or back. By learning and recognizing the warning signs, women can take a proactive approach to their
cardiovascular health and get treatment earlier to prevent further complications.
Throughout the passage, it is implied that which of the following will lead to fewer deaths resulting from CVD?
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