Heart disease in women is being missed, and with near-fatal consequences

In 2012, then 34 year-old Jennifer Tucker was pushing her young children in a pram when she began struggling to breath. Doctors were initially sceptical that Jennifer was suffering a heart attack, but tests soon proved otherwise.

Heart disease in women is being missed, and with near-fatal consequences

In 2012, then 34 year-old Jennifer Tucker was pushing her young children in a pram when she began struggling to breath. Doctors were initially sceptical that Jennifer was suffering a heart attack, but tests soon proved otherwise.

A recent article by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) shone a light on a major health epidemic impacting women. Women suffering heart attacks are being misdiagnosed due to the subtlety of their symptoms, as well as the lack of research into women’s heart health. One such woman was Jennifer Tucker. In 2012, at 34 years of age, Jennifer began struggling to breathe while pushing her two young children in a pram. Noticing Jennifer’s struggles, a local restaurateur assisted her to a nearby GP clinic, where an electrocardiogram, a recording of the heart’s electrical activity, did not reveal anything amiss. Jennifer’s visit to a cardiologist three weeks later was initially met with scepticism, with the attending doctor telling her “[you do] not need to be there”. They quickly changed their tune, however, when an angiogram revealed that one of Jennifer’s major arteries was 90% blocked and would have likely caused a fatal incident in the near future. Jennifer was shocked at the diagnosis, as she was young, fit, did not smoke, and had no history of heart disease in her family. Her doctors were equally shocked and could not explain why she ended up in the hospital. But according to cardiologist Nikki Bart, it is not uncommon for heart disease in women to be misdiagnosed or dismissed.

Read the Full Article

This video is part of our comprehensive article on this topic.

View Full Article

Learn More

  • ✓ Industry-recognised certification
  • ✓ Practical, hands-on training
  • ✓ Same-day certificate issued
  • ✓ Expert instruction
Book a Class

About Our Educational Videos

Why Australia Wide First Aid creates and shares first aid education content

Why does Australia Wide First Aid create educational videos?

We create educational videos to make first aid knowledge accessible to everyone. Our videos help learners prepare for courses, refresh their skills, and understand important first aid concepts at their own pace, anywhere and anytime.

Are these videos a replacement for practical first aid training?

No, our videos complement hands-on training but don't replace it. First aid certification requires practical skills assessment. Our videos help you understand theory and techniques, but you'll need to attend a practical course to receive nationally recognised certification.

How do educational videos improve first aid learning?

Videos provide visual demonstrations of techniques, allowing learners to see proper form and procedures. You can pause, rewind, and rewatch complex techniques as many times as needed, making it easier to understand and retain critical first aid skills.

Can I share Australia Wide First Aid videos with others?

Absolutely! We encourage sharing our educational content. The more people who understand first aid basics, the safer our communities become. Share our videos with friends, family, colleagues, or anyone interested in learning life-saving skills. For brand guidelines and usage information, visit our brand kit.

Do I need to watch videos before attending a first aid course?

While not mandatory, watching our videos beforehand can enhance your learning experience. Familiarising yourself with concepts and terminology helps you get more from the practical training session and feel more confident during hands-on practice.

How often should I review first aid videos?

We recommend reviewing first aid videos regularly, especially if you haven't used your skills recently. Quarterly reviews help keep techniques fresh in your mind. Remember, first aid certifications require renewal every 1-3 years depending on the course.

Are the techniques shown in videos current and evidence-based?

Yes, all our videos follow current Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines and nationally recognised training standards. We update our content regularly to reflect the latest evidence-based practices in emergency first aid and CPR techniques.

Can videos help me maintain my first aid certification?

While videos are excellent for knowledge retention between renewals, they cannot replace formal recertification. However, regular viewing helps you stay current with techniques and builds confidence to act effectively in emergencies until your next certification course.