A Heart Bus to combat cardiovascular disease in women

86% of women in precarious situations have health needs, and require appropriate care, by organizing access to care and a coordinated pathway.

Sudden isolation during periods of confinement, sometimes accentuated by family and emotional breakdowns, has weighed heavily on their health, both mental and physical. Exhausted, overworked, with heightened anxiety, these women are particularly vulnerable to the main environmental risk factors that provide a breeding ground for the development of cardiovascular disease: stress, smoking, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, unbalanced diet, overweight, obesity...

"Women, particularly those in precarious situations, do not listen to themselves, depreciate themselves, neglect themselves, lack information, have no access to specialized medicine... Under-screened, under-treated, insufficiently monitored or not at all, they are at high cardiovascular risk. They also have an increased risk of recurrence and mortality after a 1st cardiovascular accident", explains Pr Claire Mounier-Véhier, cardiologist and vascular physician at Lille University Hospital, and co-founder of the endowment fund Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes, which fights to ensure that all women have access to a structured cardio-gynecological care pathway.

Le Bus du Cœur offers medical care to vulnerable women.

"This campaign will kick off on September 29, 2021, and will position itself in disadvantaged neighborhoods in 5 French cities to reach out to women in precarious health and social situations," explains Thierry Drilhon, director and business leader, co-founder of Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes. An equipped bus will enable healthcare professionals to screen for cardiovascular disease ; give advice on prevention, stress management, diet, sleep, physical activity and also offer these women coordinated follow-up, in partnership with local players."

"It's urgent to get women in precarious situations back into a care pathway," adds Claire Mounier-Véhier. Especially since in 8 out of 10 cases, cardiovascular accidents are preventable. We must therefore do everything we can to avoid it, starting by adopting a healthy lifestyle: exercise, healthy eating, avoiding smoking and managing stress. We know it, but we just have to do it!

Le Bus du Coeur accueillue des femmes en situation de précarité sanitaire et sociale pour les remettre dans un parcours de soin cardio-gynécologique, sur inscription préalable.
Screening on the Bus in 7 steps:
1. Welcome and information
2. Blood pressure measurement and electrocardiogram
3. Weight and height
4. Diabetes and cholesterol screening
5. Addictology: tobacco, alcohol...
6. Gynecological care
7. Referral to a GP if necessary

A Health and Well-being Village is open to all from 9am to 5pm, with numerous advice stands staffed by health professionals:
- Physical activity
- Addictions
- Introduction to First Aid
- Stress management
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diet and dietetics
- Sleep
- ...

The dates of the Bus du Coeur 2021 tour:
- Lille, September 29 to October 1 ;
- Marseille, October 6 to 8 ;
- Avignon, October 13 to 15 ;
- La Rochelle, October 27 to 29;
- Saint-Etienne, November 3 to 5.