title: Caring for others, but not themselves: implications for health care interventions in women with cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is the largest killer of women internationally and women often suffer inferior outcomes following an acute cardiac event as compared to men. A gendered approach to investigating cardiovascular disease in women incorporates the unique social, cultural, and economic circumstances that being a woman brings to the health encounter. The multiple roles enacted by many women may be important factors in this health discrepancy. In order to more fully understand the impact of the roles of women on health, a questionnaire was administered to participants of the Heart Awareness for Women group cardiac rehabilitation program which assessed women's role perceptions followed by discussions. We found that caregiving can be both positive and negative. It gives a sense of purpose, meaning, and community connection as well as burden and conflict. Emphasis must be placed on promoting strategies in women to achieve a balance between caregiving responsibilities and prioritisation of cardiovascular health.
authors: Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology Sydney and Curtin University, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Digiacomo
authors: Patricia M
authors: PM
authors: Davidson
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Zecchin
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Lamb
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Daly