Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) being the leading cause of death among women in the EU, accounting for 35% of all female deaths, significant gender disparities persist in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research. Women face a higher risk of death after a heart attack compared to men, yet cultural biases continue to mislabel CVD as a “men’s disease.” Limited awareness of female-specific symptoms leads to delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment, contributing to a 20% higher mortality risk for women following a heart attack.

In addition, women-specific cardiovascular risk factors—such as menarche, menopause, and pregnancy—remain largely overlooked in epidemiological studies, diagnostic criteria, and treatment guidelines. Women are also underrepresented in clinical trials, limiting the development of effective, gender-specific treatments. These disparities highlight an urgent need for policy action and healthcare strategies that prioritize women’s cardiovascular health.

Recognising these gaps, the EU SHD Coalition launched the Task Force on Women’s Heart Health in 2025 to drive concrete action. The Task Force brings together experts from both within and outside the Coalition, from Europe and beyond, to advance equitable cardiovascular care for women through:

• Compiling epidemiological data and research to document the gender gaps in structural heart disease (SHD) and broader CVD care.
• Defining key policy recommendations to ensure gender-sensitive cardiovascular strategies at both national and EU levels.
• Drafting a dedicated Call to Action to raise awareness and advocate for the prioritization of women’s cardiovascular health in policy and healthcare systems.

Through these efforts, the Task Force aims to close the gender gap in cardiovascular care, ensuring that women receive timely diagnoses, equitable treatments, and the attention they deserve in research and policymaking.