Cardiovascular Disease in Women: An Update for Nurses

Indeed, much progress has been made in understanding women's experiences with CVD. However, more work is needed to improve CVD outcomes in women. Continued emphasis on CVD prevention, especially through primordial and primary prevention, will be critical, as will better understanding the underlying pathophysiology and causes of problems like SCAD and Takotsubo syndrome. Eliminating knowledge deficits will continue to be a focus for nurses and patients alike. It is imperative that women recognize CVD symptoms and recognize that CVD is the leading cause of death for women. Prompt, evidence-based workup of patients with symptoms consistent with CAD and ACS remains essential.Nurses are charged with taking the best available evidence and applying it to their real-world practice. Nurses are well positioned to listen carefully to women, regardless of background-hearing their stories, concerns, and experiences and seeking to have open, transparent conversations that engage women in their own care. By improving knowledge deficits through active engagement and by implementing behavior change strategies, nurses can help improve the CVH of all women.