Women's health: a social and economic investment and a strategic goal for healthcare.

Daiichi Sankyo presents to Milano “Women Towards a Conscious Heart”: Focus on Female Cardiovascular Diseases and Gender Medicine

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of mortality worldwide. However, gender differences significantly affect their incidence, clinical manifestation, response to treatments and patients' perception of risk. To bridge this gap, Daiichi Sankyo Italia organized the event "Women towards a conscious heart", held on March 7, 2025 at the headquarters of the National Women's Union of Milano. The meeting brought together experts from different disciplines to discuss the peculiarities of female cardiovascular diseases, the role of targeted prevention and the importance of gender medicine as a strategic objective for Italian public health.

Cardiovascular risk assessment and awareness: a gap to fill

One of the most critical aspects in managing women's cardiovascular health is the lack of awareness of risk. Women, compared to men, often experience atypical symptoms, which leads to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. In addition, there are gender-specific risk factors, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy complications, early menopause, and hormonal therapies for breast cancer.

According to the CARIN WOMEN survey, a multicenter study conducted by ARCA on 5600 patients, only 10% of the women interviewed considered themselves at high cardiovascular risk. This data underlines the urgency of raising awareness among both the female population and healthcare professionals about the need for lifelong cardiovascular risk assessment. As cardiologist Adele Lillo states, “Early recognition and treatment of risk factors can alter the trajectory of adverse cardiovascular events”.

Women's Health: A Social and Economic Investment

Women tend to live longer than men, but often in poorer health. About 60% of the burden of ill-health occurs in working age, affecting family income and well-being. Cardiovascular diseases, together with cancer, are the main cause of disability and mortality among women in Italy, with an annual cost of about 41 billion euros. Strokes and heart attacks alone contribute to 10% of the burden of ill-health among women.

Irene Gianotto, consultant at The European House – Ambrosetti, highlights the importance of women's health for the economic growth of a country: "Improving women's health means increasing education levels, encouraging participation in the workforce and generating intergenerational benefits. Furthermore, gender medicine does not only benefit women, but guarantees more appropriate care for everyone, improving the overall balance of the health system".

Gender medicine: a necessity for equity in care

Despite scientific evidence demonstrating the importance of gender differences in the manifestation and management of cardiovascular disease, clinical research continues to be predominantly based on male samples. This leads to a delay in diagnosis for women, less access to innovative treatments and a greater likelihood of adverse events.

Elena Ortona, Director of the ISS Center for Gender Medicine, emphasizes how the adoption of gender medicine is crucial to reduce the gender gap in health: “Considering sex and gender in prevention and treatment strategies is essential to guarantee equity and appropriateness in health interventions, contributing to an increasingly personalized medicine”.

Prevention and digital innovation: the future of women's cardiovascular health

Technological innovation is revolutionizing cardiovascular prevention through telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and wearable devices, which can improve risk management and promote greater therapeutic adherence. However, bureaucratic, practical, and cultural obstacles limit their adoption.

Professor Enrico Caiani, from the Polytechnic of Milano – IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, explains: “The integration of digital solutions into clinical pathways is still held back by the lack of reimbursement for devices and the lack of recognition of the time doctors spend reviewing data. Furthermore, the low level of health literacy among the population and the spread of online information that is not always reliable make it more difficult to correctly interpret symptoms”.

Heart and Psyche: The Link Between Emotions and Cardiovascular Health

Women's perception of cardiovascular risk is often influenced by cognitive biases and emotional factors. A crucial role is played by communication between doctor and patient, which must be empathetic and personalized to improve adherence to prevention pathways.

Alessandra Gorini, psychotherapist and professor at the University of Milano, emphasizes: "The low female awareness of cardiovascular risk is due to cognitive biases and socio-cultural factors. An improvement in doctor-patient communication, also through technological tools, can promote behavioral change and more effective prevention".

Towards a new paradigm in the management of female cardiovascular diseases

To promote lasting change in the management of women's cardiovascular health, a holistic and multidisciplinary approach involving institutions, public health, patient associations and the scientific community is necessary.

Joanne Jervis, Managing Director & Head of Specialty Business Division of Daiichi Sankyo Italia, reiterates the company's commitment: "Supporting gender medicine means ensuring personalized care and improving the quality of life of future generations. Daiichi Sankyo will continue to work with institutions, healthcare and associations to make women's cardiovascular health a priority".

Daiichi Sankyo: Innovation and Commitment to Global Health

With over 120 years of experience, Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to developing innovative therapies to improve the quality of life for people with cardiovascular disease, cancer and other conditions with unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit www.daiichi-sankyo.it.

Silvia Scurati, Councilor of the Lombardy Region (Lega)