Mater Private Network hosts inaugural Women’s Heart Summit to highlight women’s cardiac care
On January 24, Mater Private Network hosted an inaugural Women’s Heart Summit, bringing together over 350 cardiologists, GPs, and other healthcare professionals to address the unique challenges of cardiovascular disease in women. The event signaled a focused effort to improve outcomes for women facing heart disease, a condition that remains the leading cause of death for women globally.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Care
Organised by Mater Private Network and the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) Dublin, with support from the Irish Cardiac Society and Irish Heart Foundation, the Summit provided a platform for sharing best practices and the latest research in women-specific cardiovascular specialties. Discussions centered on improving awareness, diagnosis, and treatment – areas where significant disparities in care currently exist.
Keynote Insights from Leading Experts
A central moment of the Summit was a presentation by Prof. Roxana Mehran of Mount Sinai Hospital, USA, President-Elect of the American College of Cardiology. Prof. Mehran presented findings from the Lancet Commission report, ‘Heart Disease in Women: Under-recognised, Under-diagnosed, Under-treated’, which highlighted systemic challenges women face in accessing equal cardiac care worldwide.
Prof. Julie De Backer, a Genetic Cardiologist at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium, also presented on the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Pregnancy. Prof. De Backer emphasized the importance of recognising differences in how cardiovascular disease manifests in women, and the need for prevention as the most effective management strategy.
Expanding the Scope of Discussion
The Summit’s agenda included sessions on heart failure in women, spontaneous coronary artery disease, breast cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity in women, and heart health during menopause. These topics reflect a comprehensive approach to understanding the diverse ways cardiovascular disease impacts women throughout their lives.
Dr. Róisín Colleran, Consultant Cardiologist at Mater Private Network, stated that heart disease in women has been historically neglected, despite being the number one killer of women globally. She emphasized that women are often under-recognised, under-diagnosed, and under-treated, and do not always receive the same guideline-directed care as men.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary focus of the Women’s Heart Summit?
The primary focus was improving awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease in women, addressing existing gaps in care, and outcomes.
Who were some of the key speakers at the Summit?
Key speakers included Prof. Roxana Mehran of Mount Sinai Hospital, USA, and Prof. Julie De Backer of Ghent University Hospital in Belgium.
Where can medical professionals access a recording of the event?
A full recording of the event is available to medical professionals at Medcafe.ie and materprivate.ie.
As research and understanding of women’s cardiovascular health continue to evolve, what further steps might be taken to ensure equitable care and improved outcomes for all?