Women’s Heart Health in the ‘Real World’

New guidelines give doctors more practical advice to help them prevent heart disease in women. The new document is from the American Heart Association. It updates guidelines from 2007. All were based on research. But the updated guidelines also focus on “real world” conditions that affect health. For example, a doctor’s patients may be older, sicker or poorer than those in research studies. The guidelines say doctors need to talk to women about whether they take their medicines and follow other advice. They should ask about side effects or anything else that may hinder women from doing what the doctor advised. Women who have had problems in pregnancy also need more attention. They may be at higher risk of heart attack, stroke or blood clots up to 15 years afterward. Doctors also should screen women for depression.