Women’s cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of premature death in women in Canada. However, it doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves.
Cardiovascular disease describes a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. It often presents itself differently in women vs. men, and this can lead to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis in women. For instance, half of women who experience a heart attack (a specific event that can occur within the spectrum of heart disease) have their symptoms go unrecognized.
Major cardiovascular diseases, like heart attacks or strokes, can have a lot of impacts on employees and their work, and so addressing risk factors for cardiovascular disease is an important way to lessen this impact. By promoting heart-healthy behaviours and supporting employee wellness, employers can help reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease on their employees.
This article outlines the importance of women’s cardiovascular health and discusses the unique warning signs of a heart attack in women. It also explores an increase in the number of people submitting drug claims related to hypertension in pregnancy that we’re seeing in our data.
Additionally, it provides reminders for employers on the importance of raising awareness and promoting prevention. By taking steps to promote heart health, we can work together to improve health outcomes for women.
While we use the terms “women” and "men" in this article, we recognize that gender is a spectrum and acknowledge individuals who identify beyond the gender binary.
Data shows more people being treated for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are a group of conditions that are defined by high blood pressure readings and potentially other health complications during pregnancy. Hypertension affects about 6% to 8% of pregnancies. Recent Manulife aggregate claims data shows significant growth in the number of women being treated for hypertension in pregnancy.
From 2019 to 2023 there’s been a 17.5% increase in unique claimants for medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure in pregnancy.
There are a few underlying trends that might be influencing these increases, according to our Medical Director. This might include more individuals getting appropriate and timely care in pregnancy, with their elevated blood pressure being detected and treated.
It may also reflect trends towards more pregnancies occurring at higher average ages across Canada, along with increased use of certain fertility procedures such as in vitro fertilization, which can increase the risk of elevated blood pressure during pregnancy. And lastly, this increase may also be related to more individuals having elevated blood pressure prior to the pregnancy, and then continuing to receive appropriate treatment for this during their pregnancy.
These conditions can have serious consequences for both the pregnant person and the developing baby – and data has shown that it’s becoming more common., As an employer, helping to promote a healthier workforce could help to reduce absenteeism and disability claims.
Complications of high blood pressure in pregnancy
Not everyone will develop complications, but high blood pressure during pregnancy can impact how the developing baby receives nutrients and oxygen, and can contribute to premature birth. Elevated blood pressure could also develop into preeclampsia, a serious form of high blood pressure occurring later in pregnancy that can cause injury to the brain, heart, lung, kidneys and can impact the placenta and the uterus.
Managing and treating hypertensive disorders in pregnancy might include frequent blood pressure monitoring, more frequent visits to your healthcare provider to monitor the pregnancy (including blood tests, urine tests and ultrasound tests), bed rest, or hospitalization.
It is also important for women who have had hypertensive disorders in pregnancy to be aware of their increased risk of heart disease later in life. Regular health check-ups, including blood pressure monitoring and cholesterol testing, can help to detect other risk factors for heart disease and reduce the risk of serious complications.
