When women seek care for a possible heart attack, the standard is to test for an obstruction in the arteries leading to the heart. This test, however, was never designed to diagnose another cause of heart attack, which affects a greater number of women than men. It is known as microvascular disease and instead of an obstruction blocking blood flow, small vessels constrict or spasm which prevents adequate blood flow to the heart.
A WHRY-funded study made possible by the Wendy U. and Thomas C. Naratil Pioneer Award is changing the ways we diagnose, treat, and follow women experiencing heart-attack symptoms. Thanks to this grant, Dr. Samit Shah has demonstrated the effectiveness of expanding the standard angiogram to find this small vessel disease. The result is a more accurate diagnosis, fewer repeat hospitalizations, and better care.
The lasting benefits of the study’s findings are not limited to testing and treatment. As part of the study, researchers are following up with women and have found that those who were given more accurate information regarding their symptoms reported an increased sense of well-being.
Here, a greater understanding of what is happening to our physical health, combined with clinical and community interventions, leads to opportunities to improve mental health.
Foundational to all WHRY initiatives is a commitment to health equity, a world in which research and clinical practice provide the health information and, ultimately, the health care we need.
WHRY seeks you as a partner in this critical work. With your support, we can continue to discover and better understand the ways in which women and men differ in order to ensure that research, testing and treatment serves all.
With my appreciation,
Barbara M. Riley
Philanthropy Chair