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A review of 25 years of New Zealand research has revealed significant gaps in women's heart health care, highlighting opportunities to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the systematic review, co-led by Dr. Kylie Short of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), identified a significant gender data gap, with just 26% of studies specifically focused on differences between women and men.

In an accompanying viewpoint article, researchers call for greater consideration of sex and gender differences in cardiovascular research to strengthen the evidence informing women's health care.

Short, a UC senior lecturer in health sciences, says the findings reflect a longstanding issue in cardiovascular research and health care.

"Our research found that there's a gender gap in heart health research for women in Aotearoa New Zealand. Women tend to be under-researched, underdiagnosed and undertreated, and there's evidence that they have poorer health outcomes.

"It's a much bigger systemic issue that's developed over many years. Historically, heart disease has been seen as predominantly a men's disease. Women haven't been as well represented in the research, and international guidelines haven't necessarily reflected women's needs," Short says.

"We have a real opportunity to recognize the gaps in women's heart health research and make a difference moving forward."

Short says one of the most significant findings is that the outcomes are even more concerning for Māori and Pacific women, who experience poorer health outcomes and greater long-term impacts of cardiovascular disease on themselves and their families.

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