The results of the investigations carried out in hospital are discussed with Rebecca and her husband, Andrew.
Rebecca’s results are:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Rebecca’s ECG was normal.
- Troponin level: Her troponin level is elevated; this indicates there has been damage to her heart.
- Blood Pressure: Rebecca is told that her blood pressure is ‘a bit’ high at 145/90, but nothing further is mentioned, and she doesn’t know what her blood pressure usually is.
- Angiogram: The angiogram showed that Rebecca had suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
- For more information on coronary artery angiogram visit: NHSUK
Rebecca is admitted to hospital for a short period to undergo several tests and monitoring.
Click on the “turn” button to reveal an explanation for each test :
When you find a term that you don’t know, please use the HEARTe Glossary for more information and explanation.
Isla was concerned about her risk of having a heart attack or stroke like her parents did. She took a proactive approach to managing her health by visiting her healthcare provider to address this as well as discuss contraception.
Her visit with her healthcare provider assessed her risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). After assessment, it is found that she is considered low-risk for having a cardiovascular event in the next 10 years, but she does have risk factors for developing CVD. Isla’s risk factors include prediabetes, overweight body mass index (BMI), experiencing migraines with aura, her family history of cardiovascular disease, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise.
Isla and her healthcare provider also discussed contraception options and found one that suited both Isla’s personal preferences and her medical history.
Overall, this scenario:
- Explained how cardiovascular disease risk was assessed in Isla’s situation
- Defined and explained contraception methods
- Explained what is considered when choosing a contraception method
- Provides resources for additional information
- Signposts to relevant health services
| Pulse Point: |
Think about the learning objectives for this module and consider what you have taken away from Isla’s scenario. |
pregnancy. There are several different methods of contraception.
Contraceptive options can be either hormonal or non-hormonal, meaning some options contain hormones and other options do not contain hormones. Non-hormonal contraception options do not affect Body Mass Index (BMI) or Family Health History (FHx).
Contraception methods are also either long-acting or short-acting.
- Long-acting = contraception options effective for an extended period of time that do not require user action.
- Short-acting = contraception option that is quickly reversible. Meaning its effect wears off rapidly and therefore women can be at risk of becoming pregnant within a short period of time. The same as those who have used no contraceptive at all.
Disclaimer: Not all contraception options protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The only contraceptive method that provides a high level of protection against a Sexually Transmitted Infection is an external condom.
If you have a health condition or a family history of blood clots, speak to a healthcare professional about methods of contraception that are suitable for your health. There are several methods of contraception available, and they will help you to find the one most appropriate for your needs.
Please click on the different contraception methods pictured below to learn more about them.
To learn more about contraception including the different options available, how to choose a method, and where to get contraception, please visit
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:
- Recognise heart disease prevalence: Identify and understand that heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Recognise risk factors and understand prevention: Identify and understand the specific risk factors that contribute to heart disease in women as well as how to modify them. In doing so, advocate for and inform how to implement preventative measures and lifestyle changes that contribute to better health in women.
- Identify symptoms in women and how to act on them: Identify and understand the signs and symptoms of heart disease in women and how to address them to promote early detection and timely intervention.
- Reflect on care delivery:
Action is needed to help reduce the incidence of heart disease among women and improve overall heart health. Both health professionals and the general public play crucial roles in promoting and improving women’s heart health.
This section provides examples of actionable steps that can be taken. Let’s make a difference together.
There are several factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing conditions/diseases, access to treatments, and their health outcomes. Some of these factors are known as the social determinants of health.
- Social determinants of health (SDH) = The collective set of conditions that people are born, grow-up, live and work in. These include housing, education, financial security, and the built environment as well as health system. These conditions are shaped by powerful overarching set of forces and systems: economic systems/policies, societal norms, social policies, and political systems.
Social determinants of health can strongly influence health inequalities. Across the globe, health and illness follow a social pattern: the lower the socioeconomic status, the worse the health.
- Health inequalities = Differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups, arising from the social conditions that people are in. Health inequalities are unfair and avoidable.
- Socioeconomic status = A construct that represents the social and economic background of an individual or group (e.g.: household)
Studies show that social determinants of health can be more important in influencing health than healthcare or lifestyle choices. Research suggests that social determinants of health account for 30-55% of health outcomes.
Please see below the Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) model of health determinants. It shows the individual at the centre and the different layers of influences on their health that surround them. These layers interact with each other to influence an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.
Disclaimer: This page is not an all-inclusive or exhaustive list of all the social determinants of health, but rather key examples. Social determinants of health vary based on person, country, and more.
The social determinants of health that were discussed on the last page can have a particularly significant impact on heart health. Additionally, there are specific social determinants of health that disproportionately affect women and can in turn contribute to the health inequalities that women face. The slides below give more detail about factors that affect heart health and women as well as what can be done to address them.
Please click on the two arrow on the bottom left to use the zoom function to expand the slider.
Disclaimer: This page is not an all-inclusive or exhaustive list of all the social determinants of health, but rather key examples. Social determinants of health vary based on person, country, and more.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general name for health conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels.
- Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death and disability in the United Kingdom. There are about 7.6 million people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK. Of that number, 3.6 million are women. Women are more likely – than men- to be misdiagnosed when it comes to cardiovascular disease. As a result, women are half as likely to receive appropriate heart treatments.
There are many different types of cardiovascular disease, but we will cover the 5 main types.
Her healthcare provider explains she should have her ASSIGN score measured again in 5 years, but in the meantime, there are things Isla can do to lower her risk even more. These include eating a healthy, balanced diet and increasing her exercise activity to help to manage her prediabetes and body mass index.
