The Heart Bus to combat cardiovascular disease in women

In France, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women (26%, ahead of cancer 25%). Every day, it kills 200 women in France and 25,000 worldwide. Yet 80% of these deaths could be avoided if screening procedures were better defined. The women most affected are those living in precarious conditions. 86% of them 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 taken a heavy toll on their mental and physical health. 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...

In 5 years, the Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes fund has set itself the goal of saving 10,000 women from these diseases, thanks in particular to the deployment of the Bus du Cœur.

"Women, particularly those in precarious situations, don't listen to themselves, they belittle themselves, neglect themselves, lack information and have no access to specialized medicine... Under-screened, under-treated, under-monitored or not at all, they are at high cardiovascular risk. They also have a higher 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 is fighting to ensure that all women have access to a structured cardio-gynaecological care pathway.

The Bus du Cœur offers medical care to vulnerable women
"This campaign will kick off on September 29, 2021, and will position itself in strategic locations in 5 French cities to reach out to women in precarious health and social situations," explains Thierry Drilhon, board member and business leader, co-founder of Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes. A fully-equipped bus will enable health professionals to screen for cardiovascular disease, give advice on prevention, stress management, diet, sleep and physical activity, and also offer these women coordinated follow-up care, in partnership with local players".

Claire Mounier-Véhier adds: "We urgently need to put women in precarious situations back on a care pathway. Especially as, in 8 out of 10 cases, a cardiovascular accident is avoidable. That's why we need to do everything we can to prevent it, starting by adopting a healthy lifestyle: exercise, healthy eating, avoiding smoking and managing stress. We know it, but it's time to do it!

PRACTICAL INFO

The "Bus du Coeur" welcomes women in precarious health and social situations, to put them back on a cardio-gynecological care pathway, with prior registration.
7 steps to screening on the Bus
1. welcome and information
2. blood pressure measurement and electrocardiogram
3. weight and height
4. diabetes and cholesterol screening
5. addictology: tobacco, alcohol, etc.
6. gynecological interview
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...

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

Download the press kit