Her Heart, Her Strength-Women’s Cardiovascular Health in light of International Women’s Day: Dr Sushil

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: As the World celebrates the achievements and resilience of women on International Women’s Day. While conversations often revolve around empowerment, equality, and opportunity, an equally important dimension of empowerment is health, Head Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma held a day long cardiac awareness cum health check up camp at Sain Samaj Bhawan, Rani Park Jammu.

He emphasized the importance of prioritizing women’s cardiovascular health as cardiovascular disease remains the most significant yet under-recognized threat. For decades, heart disease was largely considered a “man’s disease,” but research has firmly established that it is the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Recognizing the importance of women’s cardiovascular health is therefore essential, not only for medical professionals but also for society as a whole.
While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil stated that Women’s heart health has unique characteristics that differentiate it from that of men. Biological, hormonal, and social factors all influence the risk, presentation, and outcomes of cardiovascular disease in women. Hormones such as estrogen provide a degree of protection against heart disease during the reproductive years, but this protection diminishes after menopause, leading to a rapid increase in cardiovascular risk. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia significantly increase the likelihood of heart disease in women, often with more severe consequences than in men. Lifestyle factors further contribute to the burden of heart disease among women.
He maintained that Smoking and alcohol consumption among women have also increased in certain populations, further elevating cardiovascular risk. Preventive strategies such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and routine health screenings are therefore essential components of protecting heart health. Awareness and early detection remain the most powerful tools in combating heart disease among women. Public health initiatives must emphasize education regarding risk factors, symptom recognition, and the importance of regular medical checkups. Screening for hypertension, diabetes, lipid abnormalities, and obesity should begin early and continue throughout life.
He added that Healthcare providers also have a critical role to play in addressing gender disparities in cardiovascular care. Studies have shown that women are less likely to receive timely diagnostic testing, aggressive treatment, or referral for advanced cardiac procedures compared with men. Eliminating these disparities requires increased research focused on women’s cardiovascular health, gender-sensitive clinical guidelines, and improved training for healthcare professionals. In addition to medical interventions, social empowerment significantly influences women’s health outcomes. Education, financial independence, and access to healthcare services empower women to make informed decisions about their health. When women have the knowledge and resources to prioritize their well-being, the entire family and community benefit. Healthy women contribute to stronger families, healthier children, and more productive societies, He Said
In his concluding remarks Dr Sushil Sharma told that, women’s heart health represents a crucial pillar of global public health. While biological differences, hormonal changes, and social determinants contribute to unique cardiovascular risks in women, these challenges can be effectively addressed through education, prevention, and gender-sensitive healthcare policies. Recognizing heart disease as a major threat to women’s well-being is the first step toward meaningful change. As the world celebrates the achievements and strength of women on International Women’s Day, there must also be a renewed commitment to protecting the hearts that sustain families, nurture communities, and drive progress. A healthy heart empowers a woman not only to live longer but also to continue shaping the world with resilience, compassion, and strength.
Management Committee of the All J&K Sain Samaj Kewal Krishan Fotra, Dr S L Fotra Ashok Jagotra, Sham Lal, Ashok Tripathi, Sanjay Sajgotra, kasturi Lal and Manohar Lal Tidyal has expressed its sincere appreciation for Dr Sushil and his team’s efforts in conducting cardiac awareness cum health check up camp in their area. The Community looks forward to future collaboration with Dr Sushil and his team, acknowledging the importance of their work in improving the health and well-being of the community.
Others who were part of this camp includes Dr Pankaj Banotra, Dr Venkatesh Yellupu and Dr Adarsh Sharma .Paramedics and volunteers includes Kamal Sharma, Raghav Rajput, Irfan Hassan, Mohd Altaf, Shubham Sharma, Raman Chalotra, Makhan Sharma, Rajinder Singh, Rahul Vaid, Rohit Nayyar , Gourav Sharma and Vikas Kumar.