In France, in 2022, nearly 15 million people were affected by a cardiovascular disease or at risk, according to figures from the Ministry of Health. The management of cardiovascular diseases costs the Social Security system €19.4 billion per year, representing 10.5% of the total expenditures of its health insurance branch.
Cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of death in France, with nearly 140,000 deaths per year. However, they are the leading cause of death among women, according to the French Society of Cardiology. Women have anatomical, functional, and care-specific characteristics that lead to delays in diagnosis and a poorer prognosis.
A lack of knowledge that hinders the care of women
According to studies by the French Health Insurance and the French Federation of Cardiology, women receive less adequate care because:
- 74% of women are unaware that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women and do not pay attention to their symptoms.
- Public opinion still largely associates cardiovascular diseases with men, often overlooking this possibility when a woman exhibits symptoms.
- There is still either a fear or reluctance to perform chest compressions on a woman.
- 68% of women say they are more concerned about the health of their loved ones than their own.
Due to a lack of awareness about cardiovascular risks affecting women, they receive less adequate care and face more obstacles in ensuring their cardiovascular well-being.
Initiatives to raise awareness of women’s cardiovascular risks
Awareness campaigns have been carried out, first in 2023 by the French Federation of Cardiology and then in 2024 by the French Health Insurance, to inform the public about cardiovascular disease risks in women and the specific factors that need to be considered for better care (female-specific risk factors, particular symptoms, etc.).
In parallel, a funding organization, the Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes foundation, was created in 2020 to conduct awareness, training, and screening campaigns. One of its key initiatives, the Bus du Cœur, was launched in 2021 and has been traveling across France for four years to inform women and offer free screenings.
Finally, at the governmental level, the 2023-2027 Interministerial Plan for Gender Equality includes actions aimed at improving women’s cardiovascular health, such as the creation of an annual Women’s Health Week to raise awareness and the deployment of outreach initiatives to inform and screen at-risk individuals.
Despite these initial actions, further efforts are needed to improve women’s cardiovascular health. For this reason, the Choiseul Institute has published a report outlining several proposals:
- Define a public health policy focused on prevention, with awareness campaigns and dedicated days, strengthening “prevention appointments,” developing a cardiovascular strategy within the National Public Health Plan, and establishing a monitoring committee.
- Deploy innovative initiatives, such as “outreach” programs, the Bus du Cœur, the new “at-risk patient profile for heart failure development” tool, the use of artificial intelligence, or “heart valve” awareness days.
- Improve women’s participation in studies and integrate sex as a factor in clinical research.