Global Heart Hub, the international alliance of heart patient organizations, has released findings from its latest patient-led qualitative research study examining women's experiences with cardiovascular disease. The study reveals that women are slow to seek medical help, and there are ongoing gaps in the recognition and diagnosis of heart disease in women, despite it remaining the leading cause of death among women globally.
Key Findings Presented at ACNAP Congress 2026
The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology's ACNAP Congress 2026, organized by the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions, the leading congress for nurses and allied professionals committed to advancing patient-centered cardiovascular care. The research, called IPEC2 (Insights & Patient Experiences with Cardiovascular Disease), collected patient experience data from women across eight countries, including those with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), elevated LP(a), heart valve disease, and cardiomyopathy.
Barriers to Care and Misdiagnosis
The study explored women's awareness and recognition of cardiovascular symptoms, barriers across the care pathway, and the burden of managing heart disease on women's lives. Heart symptoms continue to be dismissed or mistaken for other conditions, such as anxiety, the research found. Preliminary findings focused on women with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol who were hospitalized at least once for a cardiac event (heart attack, stroke, or unstable angina). Uncontrolled elevated LDL cholesterol is a primary driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the leading cause of death in women worldwide.
Expert Commentary
Professor Vijay Kunadian, Professor of Interventional Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine at Newcastle University & Newcastle Hospitals, UK, and a member of IPEC2's Steering Committee, stated: "We now have incredible therapies to deal with high LDL-C 'bad cholesterol.' However, the study findings highlight that women may not receive a timely diagnosis and, therefore, cannot access any treatment. The reasons are due to delays in women seeking care, frequently putting others (family) before their own health. In addition, the findings describe delays in diagnosis due to under-recognition of symptoms, life factors, and clinician bias. This means that women continue to be treated later in the disease progression, sometimes at the point of their life-threatening cardiac event, which often diminishes their opportunity for better outcomes."
Study Methodology
The Global Heart Hub study is guided by both an independent Steering Committee and Review Committee, comprised of people with lived experience, patient organization leaders, and international clinical experts. The preliminary findings included women aged 18 years or older from the US, Canada, China, and Italy.
