Engaging women in decision-making about their heart health: a literature review with patients' perspective.
Alexandra BastianyCindy R TownsDonna May KimmaliardjukCindy Z KalengaSonya N BurgessPublished in: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology (2024)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally. Although the burden of CVD risk factors tends to be lower in women, they remain at higher risk of developing complications when affected by these risk factors. There is still a lack of awareness surrounding CVD in women, both from a patient's and a clinician's perspective, especially among visible minorities. However, women who are informed about their heart health and who engage in decision-making with their healthcare providers are more likely to modify their lifestyle, and improve their CVD risk. A patient-centered care approach benefits patients' physical and mental health, and is now considered gold-standard for efficient patient care. Engaging women in their heart health will contribute in closing the gap of healthcare disparities between men and women, arising from sociocultural, socioeconomic, and political factors. This comprehensive review of the literature discusses the importance of engaging women in decision-making surrounding their heart health and offers tools for an effective and culturally sensitive patient-provider relationship.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- mental health
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- decision making
- risk factors
- cardiovascular disease
- public health
- pregnancy outcomes
- heart failure
- cervical cancer screening
- newly diagnosed
- breast cancer risk
- ejection fraction
- case report
- metabolic syndrome
- physical activity
- type diabetes
- prognostic factors
- primary care
- palliative care
- pregnant women
- coronary artery disease
- mental illness
- climate change
- health promotion
- quality improvement
- weight loss
- chronic pain
- cardiovascular risk factors
- cardiovascular events