In a powerful alliance poised to reshape the landscape of women’s cardiovascular health in the U.S., WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease has teamed up with global healthcare giant Bayer. The “Understanding Her Heart: Women and Cardiovascular Disease” initiative launched in Washington aims to tackle the persistent under-awareness of heart disease among American women, which remains the number one killer of women in the country.

Despite advances in medicine and rising cardiovascular health awareness overall, the specific risks and implications for women often receive less focus. Studies reveal significant gaps in how heart disease is perceived, prevented, and treated among women compared to men, with women frequently underrepresented in clinical trials and often experiencing different symptoms that can lead to delayed treatment.

The Understanding Her Heart initiative seeks to close these gaps by not only increasing awareness but also enhancing the accessibility of crucial heart health resources. Through a multifaceted approach, the program will empower women across the nation to become proactive about their heart health, providing them with tools such as the innovatively designed Bayer Aspirin Heart Risk Assessment tool, developed in collaboration with Huma Therapeutics Limited.

Highlighting the strategic goals of the initiative, Celina Gorre, CEO of WomenHeart, emphasized the commitment to arm women with necessary information and support to prioritize their cardiac health. “This collaboration with Bayer enhances our capability to elevate the understanding of cardiovascular risks among women and ensures they have every resource necessary to lead heart-healthy lives.”

Further invigorating the campaign will be the mobilization of women leaders who will serve as heart health ambassadors, cultivating a grassroots movement aimed at spreading knowledge and best practices for heart health. Importantly, the initiative will also target communities identified as high-risk due to environmental factors such as pollution and climate impact, addressing broader determinants of health that disproportionately affect cardiovascular well-being.

Trevor Thrun, from Bayer, shared his views on the partnership: “By equipping women with knowledge about their personal heart health risks and promoting equitable access to healthcare resources, we can make significant strides in combating heart disease.”

Bayer, a powerhouse in health care and nutrition, stands by its mission of “Health for all, Hunger for none,” aligning seamlessly with WomenHeart’s advocacy and support endeavors that aim to serve the female population more effectively. Through their collaborative effort, they are not merely addressing gaps in care but are fundamentally aspiring to transform the approach towards women’s heart health at various levels—from individual risk assessment to influencing health policy.

This initiative exemplifies the positive impacts of combining strengths across sectors—and the potential this holds for paving the way towards a healthier future for women everywhere. Additional details on the initiative and resources for women are accessible on the WomenHeart website, ensuring that information is just a click away for anyone needing guidance or wishing to join the heart health movement.