EXPERT AVAILABLE TO COMMENT ON NEW STATEMENT FROM THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION RE: HEART ATTACKS IN WOMEN

Newswise — WHO: Dr. Gretchen Wells, Director of the Women's Heart Health Program, University of Kentucky's Gill Heart Institute

WHAT: The American Heart Association has issued a scientific statement regarding the knowledge gaps that exist for heart attacks in women vs. men and outlining the priority steps needed to better understand and treat heart disease in women.

Dr. Wells has extensive experience studying gender differences in the presentation of heart disease, including heart failure, neurocardiology and heart disease in pregnancy.

MORE: Women's hearts are different than men's in certain ways, which can affect the way women develop heart disease and experience heart attack symptoms. Much of the current cardiology research is on men, which means the mechanisms and disease process for heart disease in women is often unknown.

There are also other biological, social and psychological factors that change the way women experience heart disease and seek treatment. The AHA statement calls for further study of gender-specific characteristics of heart disease to improve awareness, prevention, and treatment for heart disease in women.