Dubai, UAE- November 2024: Early warning signs of a heart attack in women are often missed. Extensive research, encompassing real patient narratives and insights from healthcare professionals indicates alarming results. 78% of cases of women who have a heart attack have been missed, as both patients and healthcare professionals miss the crucial signs.

Dr. Juwairia AlAli, President of Emirates Cardiac Society, comments: “It is crucial to bridge the significant knowledge gap that exists, particularly in understanding the signs of women’s health issues and promoting early medical intervention. Addressing the lack of studies, especially in bridging the gender data gap, remains a vital aspect of our commitment. With a specialised emphasis on heart diseases, we are dedicated to enhancing research in this field to better serve women’s health needs. While progress is being made, there is still much work to be done to shed light on other Therapy Areas that require increased attention in advancing women’s healthcare.”

The reason why heart attacks in women are often missed, traces back to the 1970’s when medical research predominantly centred on male physiology following the Thalidomide tragedy, creating a substantial knowledge gap concerning female anatomy and responses.

A renowned global healthcare company dedicated to women’s well-being and committed to being ‘here for her health’ has launched a campaign that shines a light on the medical gender bias affecting women’s cardiovascular health. Its initiative aims to show people across the GCC region, Egypt and Lebanon including doctors and the public, the key signs that are associated with heart attacks in women, which differs greatly from that of men.

Contrary to common misconceptions heart attacks, often associated with chest and arm pain and breathlessness, may cause jaw pain and nausea as early symptoms in women. Organon has launched ‘Mis[s]diagnosed’ to address this critical issue. An initiative to bring to light the lesser-known symptoms of heart attacks in women and to prevent misdiagnosis. Collaborating with Arab influencers, healthcare professionals, and women, the aim is to foster extensive discussions and awareness through informative content, and impactful storytelling across the UAE, KSA, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Bahrain.

Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President of the META Cluster at Organon, comments “At Organon, our focus is on revolutionising women’s health through dedicated Partnerships, initiatives, conversations and R&D initiatives. Recognising the lack of comprehensive studies on heart disease in women, we are determined to fill this critical gap and improve healthcare outcomes for women worldwide. Our commitment lies in listening to their stories, amplifying their voices, and driving tangible change in the way women’s health is understood and addressed. Organon is determined to empower women and ensure their health needs are at the forefront of medical innovation and research.”

Furthermore, the ‘Mis[s]diagnosed’ campaign has prompted Pharma and healthcare entities to enhance clinical trial diversity and foster more inclusive treatment innovations through IPG Health’s ‘Trial for #ClinicalEquality’ Initiative.

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The campaign has also highlighted lesser-known symptoms of female heart attacks, including unusual fatigue, light headedness, upper back pain, jaw pain, neck pain, nausea, feeling of heartburn or indigestion, and discomfort in one or both arms. By raising awareness about these symptoms, the campaign aims to empower women to recognize the signs of heart attacks early and advocate for gender-inclusive healthcare practices.