According to the Israel Association of Cardiologists, women in Israel are three times likely to sustain a fatal heart attack than men.

According to biennial report the mortality rate among men from a heart attack within 30 days of the myocardial infarction stands at 4.1% as compared to 11.6% in women. On the average, men arrive in an emergency room within 4.5 hours of the onset of chest pain while women arrive after six hours. In addition, the experts feel that women are generally less informed than men regarding the ramifications of heart disease on their bodies.

According to international statistics, one in every two women will develop some type of cardiac related ailment and one in three will die as a result, explained cardiologist Dr. Dana Tzfat, who established the Institute for Women’s Health at Hadassah Medical Center. Dr. Tzfat adds that in Israel, one in four women will die of heart disease, praising the healthcare system; “but nevertheless, most women still believe that heart disease is a man’s issue” she adds.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)