This document summarizes a study examining issues faced by women with heart disease living in rural Australia. Ten women between 52-83 years old participated in qualitative interviews. The study found that heart disease has a large impact on women's lives and roles. Symptoms in women can be atypical and often mistaken for other illnesses. More research and education is needed to address the unique needs of women regarding heart health.

1. Hearty Health for Rural Women
An examination of issues identified by women with
heart disease living in Greater Southern Area Health
Service NSW
Annie Flint
annie.flint@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au

2. Greater Southern Area Health
Service

3. The Study
• Ten women participated in the study, ages
ranged from 52 years to 83 years
• A qualitative methodology was used to
provide a social framework and an
increased understanding of the diversity of
women’s experiences

4. Victim Blaming

5. Main Messages
• Heart disease is a women’s health issue
(one in five women die from heart disease)
• Early identification of heart disease in
women will improve long term outcomes
(particularly important because women are
living longer but frequently in poorer
health)

6. Main Messages (cont)
• Family history of heart disease is common
in women (all the participants had a father
< 55 yrs or mother <65 yrs with heart
disease) good early indicator of potential
risk
• Women have uncharacteristic symptoms of
heart disease which are sometimes
mistaken for other illnesses or old age

7. Main Messages (cont)
• Women are concerned about the impact of
their heart disease on family and the
community (Davidson/Hancock 2003 Dietary Changes
Women’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program)
• Women’s inability to fulfill usual roles and
responsibilities adds to the distress of not
only having a serious illness but not being
able to stay involved in routine daily
activities (volunteering, child care, church, cleaning)

8. Key Findings
• The impact of gender (caring roles, family
burden)
• The lack of evidence about women and
heart disease (women are not subjects in
research studies)
• Atypical signs and symptoms experienced by
women (tiredness, shortness of breath,
breast pain, reflux)

9. Next Steps
• Heart health screening by women’s health
nurses
• GP education promotion of 50+ check
• Cardiac rehabilitation programs for women
• Include women in research studies

10. Next Steps
• Heart health screening by women’s health
nurses
• GP education promotion of 50+ check
• Cardiac rehabilitation programs for women
• Include women in research studies