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Review
. 2021 Feb 16;143(7):e239-e248.
doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000907. Epub 2020 Sep 21.

Ten-Year Differences in Women's Awareness Related to Coronary Heart Disease: Results of the 2019 American Heart Association National Survey: A Special Report From the American Heart Association

Mary Cushman, Christina M Shay, Virginia J Howard, Monik C Jiménez, Jennifer Lewey, Jean C McSweeney, L Kristin Newby, Ram Poudel, Harmony R Reynolds, Kathryn M Rexrode, Mario Sims, Lori J Mosca; American Heart Association
Review

Ten-Year Differences in Women's Awareness Related to Coronary Heart Disease: Results of the 2019 American Heart Association National Survey: A Special Report From the American Heart Association

Mary Cushman et al. Circulation. .

Abstract

Background: High awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death (LCOD) among women is critical to prevention. This study evaluated longitudinal trends in this awareness among women.

Methods and results: Online surveys of US women (≥25 years of age) were conducted in January 2009 and January 2019. Data were weighted to the US population distribution of sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate knowledge of the LCOD. In 2009, awareness of heart disease as the LCOD was 65%, decreasing to 44% in 2019. In 2019, awareness was greater with older age and increasing education and lower among non-White women and women with hypertension. The 10-year awareness decline was observed in all races/ethnicities and ages except women ≥65 years of age. The greatest declines were among Hispanic women (odds ratio of awareness comparing 2019 to 2009, 0.14 [95% CI, 0.07-0.28]), non-Hispanic Black women (odds ratio, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.19-0.49]), and 25- to 34-year-olds (odds ratio, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.10-0.34]). In 2019, women were more likely than in 2009 to incorrectly identify breast cancer as the LCOD (odds ratio, 2.59 [95% CI, 1.86-3.67]), an association that was greater in younger women. Awareness of heart attack symptoms also declined.

Conclusions: Awareness that heart disease is the LCOD among women declined from 2009 to 2019, particularly among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women and in younger women (in whom primordial/primary prevention may be most effective). An urgent redoubling of efforts by organizations interested in women's health is required to reverse these trends.

Keywords: AHA Scientific Statements; cardiovascular diseases; cause of death; ethnic groups; primary prevention; surveys and questionnaires.

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Conflict of interest statement

The American Heart Association makes every effort to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an outside relationship or a personal, professional, or business interest of a member of the writing panel. Specifically, all members of the writing group are required to complete and submit a Disclosure Questionnaire showing all such relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.. Proportion of US women identifying heart disease/heart attack, cancer (all), or breast cancer as the leading cause of death among women: 2009 vs 2019.
All values between 2009 and 2019, P<0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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