CArdiovascular Risk Awareness of ItaliaN WOMEN The A.R.C.A. (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali) CARIN WOMEN survey

Sex and gender differences change biology and pathophysiology. Up to now there has been no attention to this problem and the results of scientific research conducted mainly in men were inappropriately shifted to the female sex. The female “umbrella-hormone” bias has come to minimize the impact of risk factors and cardiovascular disease which instead are the leading cause of death in women in developed countries. To take stock of female awareness in Italy and identify methods and topics of intervention, ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiology Ambulatoriali), with the collaboration of GISeG (Gruppo Italiano Salute e Genere), conducted a survey enrolling 2,856 women, mainly interviewed in cardiological outpatient clinics. The mean age of the enrolled patients was 53.8 ± 13.4 years, school attendance was generally low for a European country (with 53% of senior high school diploma or degree). Forty percent of respondents were single. Awareness of traditional risk factors was high, slightly less for diabetes mellitus (81%). The presence of cardiovascular events was strongly correlated with age and the number of conventional risk factors. Lifestyle change seemed to be difficult for a large percentage of women, mainly the eating habits (45%). Ninety one percent declared to need more information about the CVR and over 80% would like the family doctor to provide it. In conclusion, women’s awareness of their cardiovascular risk is still not optimal and the interviewees believe that they need to be primarily informed by their family doctor.