Health and Fitness.

At the Heart of the Matter

2011 10Q Report details important unanswered questions for women with heart disease
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Washington, DC (June 21, 2011) — 


Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of women in the United States. Although scientists have discovered demonstrable sex differences, treatment options  remain the same.  In response to this important issue, the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease released the long awaited  2011 10Q Report: Advancing Women’s Heart Health through Improved Research, Diagnosis and Treatment on June 21 to a captivated audience on Capitol Hill.  




The  2011  10Q Report is an update to the  2006  10Q Report that identified the  top 10 
unanswered research questions concerning the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart 
disease in women. Because  these and other questions still lack answers, SWHR and 
WomenHeart are issuing an updated 2011 report.


Over 8.6 million women die annually of CVD and more women than men die each year of 
heart disease. Experts also estimate that one in two women will die of heart disease or 
stroke per year. There are known sex differences in symptoms and treatment of CVD, yet 
medical treatment of women has not changed substantially nor has it resulted in 
appropriate research into these distinct sex differences.  The 10Q Report is a call to action 
to members of Congress, administration officials, researchers, health care providers, and 
women. 


“The 10Q Report shows the major need to focus research funding appropriately for CVD to 
understand the important sex differences in heart health,” said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, 
President and CEO of SWHR.  “SWHR and WomenHeart consulted with cardiovascular 
experts to identify these  top 10 unanswered questions to aid  researchers in the  study of 
prevention and treatment of this number one killer of women.”


The lack of understanding of sex differences in CVD can be attributed to insufficient 
recruitment of women and minorities  for clinical trials. Improved participation rates would 
result in more accurate data and understanding of how CVD affects women differently than 
men. This in turn would produce more appropriate prevention and early detection plans, 
accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of all women with heart disease.


“The  10Q Report reveals a startling lack of research into how women and men  are 
genetically differently in CVD symptoms, diagnosis and treatment,” said  Lisa M. Tate,  CEO, 
WomenHeart.  “To better care for women, these 10 crucial questions must finally be 
addressed.

Contact: Rachel Griffith, SWHR

June 21, 2011 (202) 496-5001

rachel@swhr.org

Contact: Lisa Clough, WomenHeart

(202) 464.8734

lclough@womenheart.org

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