Women's health plan: second annual progress report - January 2024

Heart Health

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) Pilot

SCAD is a tear on the wall of a coronary artery (a large blood vessel), which supplies blood to your heart. It can cause angina, heart attack and cardiac arrest. SCAD affects a younger, predominantly female population and requires a different approach to management than atherosclerotic disease.

The Scottish Government have funded a SCAD pilot project which will test a Scottish SCAD service, with the aim of building expertise to support equitable care. This will include consideration of female specific management elements (contraception, pregnancy, HRT, cyclical chest pain etc).

Cardiac Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (cCBT) Tool

A cardiac cCBT tool is underway and is currently in use in cardiac rehabilitation services in five NHS boards, with an evaluation in progress. Work to review the tool has been completed with user stories updated to reflect women’s lived experience.

Did you know?

Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland have established an online support group for women with heart health conditions. Find out more online.

Policy in Practice

NHS Dumfries and Galloway: heart health care in obstetrics and gynaecology

Hypertension is a significant risk factor in women for cardiovascular disease, with early identification and treatment recommended. Women are at increased risk of developing hypertension at certain times in their life course, particularly if they have adverse pregnancy outcomes and during the menopause transition. Obesity is another significant risk factor not only for cardiovascular disease, but also for breast and endometrial cancer. NHS Dumfries and Galloway are working to identify opportunities within obstetrics and gynaecology services to identify hypertension and obesity and offer support and appropriate intervention.

Upcoming activity includes;

• Information leaflet designed to provide to women with adverse pregnancy outcomes about subsequent risk for hypertension and recommended monitoring, with highlighting to primary care teams.
• All women attending menopause and gynaecology clinics to have BMI and blood pressure measured. Funding has been identified to purchase blood pressure monitors which can be provided to those patients with raised levels, enabling them to measure at home over a week and then report to primary care team for further assessment and management.

If you would like more information about this project, please email womenshealthplan@gov.scot.