Red alert: Time to take action for women's heart health
Heart disease in women presents with different and often silent symptoms compared to men. These conditions, which emerge with atypical complaints such as shortness of breath, back pain, fatigue, or nausea, are frequently overlooked. Yet the statistics are striking: 1 in 3 women loses her life due to heart disease. So, what are the points to consider regarding heart conditions in women? Here are the details...
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WOMEN ARE TURNING RED
To draw attention to heart diseases, which are seen more frequently in women compared to men, and to the vital lack of awareness in this area, the 'Women are Turning Red' campaign has been launched with the support of Memorial Health Group and led by the Cardiac Masters Heart Team. The campaign aims to emphasize women's heart health, prevent delays in diagnosis, and raise public awareness with scientific data.
WOMEN'S HEARTS GET SICK CLINICALLY, NOT JUST BIOLOGICALLY
Prof. Dr. Serkan Durdu, a Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist and one of the leading figures of the campaign, drew attention to the deadly consequences of this silence, stating, “A woman's heart gets sick in a different way, not only biologically but also clinically. Instead of chest pain, it often manifests with symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or back pain. For this reason, heart attacks in women are diagnosed late, and these delays cost lives.”
WE WANT TO BE A VOICE FOR WOMEN'S HEARTS THROUGH SCIENCE
Stating that heart disease is still perceived as a “man's disease” in society, Durdu said, “Only 44 percent of women know that heart disease is the greatest threat to women's health. However, according to data from the Go Red for Women campaign conducted in America, 1 in every 3 women loses her life for this reason. We want to break this silence in Turkey and be a voice for women's hearts through science.”
WOMEN ARE TAKING ACTION FOR THEIR HEALTH
Sharing the meaning behind the campaign's name, “Women are Turning Red,” Durdu said, “The color red represents both the heart and awareness. Although red means stop in traffic, our call is not to stop; it is to notice. We are no longer staying silent. Women are taking action for their health.”
HEART ATTACKS CAN BE PREVENTED IF YOU RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS
The campaign is not limited to just one day. It aims to reach women throughout the year with social media content, public seminars, and free heart health screenings. Stating that they want to turn this awareness movement into a health mobilization, Durdu made the following call:
“Heart attacks are preventable. As long as we recognize the symptoms and do not neglect our hearts. Every woman should have a heart check-up at least once a year. Do not stay silent about women's hearts. Because if a woman lives, society lives.”