The Victorian Government has placed women’s cardiovascular health in the spotlight this World Heart Day, urging the community to better recognise early symptoms and act quickly to save lives. Health experts and policymakers gathered at the Victorian Heart Hospital in Clayton to highlight the need for gender-specific awareness, alongside major investments in research and care.
Women at Greater Risk of Being Misdiagnosed
Cardiovascular disease remains Australia’s leading cause of death, with over one million Australians living with the condition. Globally, it is the top killer of women. Each day, an average of 20 Australian women die from heart-related causes. Yet women are often overlooked in both diagnosis and treatment.
While men typically experience classic symptoms such as crushing chest pain or pain radiating down the arm, women more commonly present with subtler signs—dizziness, fatigue, nausea, or later pain in the jaw and neck. These early indicators are often dismissed as stress, anxiety, or panic attacks, delaying critical intervention. Experts warn that such misdiagnoses can cost lives.
A $577 Million Investment in Cardiac Care
To respond to these challenges, the Allan Labor Government has invested heavily in specialised facilities. The $577 million Victorian Heart Hospital, the nation’s first dedicated cardiac hospital, now stands as a hub for treatment, research, and education. Operated by Monash Health, the hospital is equipped with more than 200 beds, capacity for 2,000 cardiac surgeries annually, 28,000 emergency presentations, and 108,000 consultations.
This scale is unmatched in Australia, and its design reflects a growing push for gender-specific care. Central to its work is a dedicated Women’s Heart Health Clinic, which addresses the unique risks and needs of female patients.
Targeted Research into Women’s Heart Health
Policy focus has extended beyond clinical services into research funding. The Victorian Government recently committed $2.3 million to Women’s Health Research Catalyst Grants, supporting projects that examine underfunded or under-researched conditions disproportionately affecting women.
One such initiative, led by Dr. Esther Davis at Monash University, explores how mammograms—routinely used in breast cancer screening—could also serve as an early warning tool for cardiovascular risk. The project could transform preventive care by linking two critical women’s health priorities in a single diagnostic test.
Why Awareness Still Lags
Despite rising awareness campaigns, experts argue that community understanding remains dangerously low. Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas underscored this gap during her visit: “Women’s heart health has been overlooked for far too long. This World Heart Day, we’re proud to spotlight the unique risks women face and to ensure they get the care they deserve.”
The challenge is not only medical but cultural. Women are less likely to seek emergency care for heart-related symptoms, often attributing warning signs to stress or fatigue. They may also experience delays in triage because their symptoms fall outside the traditional “male model” of a heart attack.
Building a Public Health Response
Public health specialists emphasise that solutions must be multi-layered. Awareness campaigns targeting women and their families are only the beginning. Training for general practitioners and emergency clinicians is essential to reduce diagnostic bias. Schools and workplaces can also play a role in educating younger women about long-term cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, diet, and lack of exercise.
The Victorian Heart Hospital is also spearheading education initiatives, linking patient care with research translation. This integrated model ensures lessons from the clinic feed directly into medical training and public campaigns.
Action Points for Victorians
This World Heart Day, health authorities recommend simple but actionable steps:
- Know the symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and pain in the jaw or neck can be signs of a heart attack in women.
- Don’t delay: If symptoms arise, call triple zero immediately.
- Check your risk: Speak with your GP about cardiovascular screening, especially if you have a family history.
- Adopt preventive habits: Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and avoid smoking.
A Broader Gender Equity Push
The renewed emphasis on women’s cardiovascular health aligns with a broader shift in Victorian health policy, recognising that women’s health has historically been underfunded and under-researched. Initiatives such as the Catalyst Grants and specialist clinics form part of a growing strategy to correct this imbalance.
As World Heart Day serves its annual reminder, the message from health leaders is clear: women must not be left behind in cardiovascular care. With targeted investment, dedicated facilities, and public awareness, Victoria aims to change the narrative from neglect to prevention and equity.
Looking Ahead
The long-term success of these initiatives will depend on sustained political will, ongoing funding, and active community engagement. With Australia facing rising chronic disease burdens, women’s heart health cannot remain an afterthought. As research progresses and clinical practice evolves, experts stress that the ultimate goal is simple but urgent: fewer missed warning signs, faster treatment, and more lives saved.
By combining world-class infrastructure with focused awareness and innovative research, Victoria is positioning itself as a leader in women’s heart health—not just in Australia, but globally. This year’s World Heart Day may prove to be more than symbolic; it could mark a turning point in how women’s cardiovascular disease is recognised, treated, and prevented.
