Published on March 20, 2025
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we decided to focus on something close to our hearts by launching our new face-scanning technology to help understand physical diversity, health, and well-being in the workplace.
Recent meta-research has solidified the understanding that women face unique and often higher risks of cardiovascular disease compared to men. While heart disease is the leading cause of death for both sexes, the ways it manifests and the factors that contribute to it differ significantly.
Key Findings:
- Hormonal Differences:
- Estrogen, which offers some protection before menopause, declines significantly afterwards, increasing risk.
- Conditions like premature menopause and pregnancy complications (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes) elevate long-term cardiovascular risk.
- Stress and Emotional Factors:
- Women often experience higher levels of chronic stress, particularly in work and family environments.
- Studies show that psychological stress can lead to increased inflammation and blood pressure, both major heart disease risk factors.
- Women are more likely to have "broken heart syndrome", also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is brought on by severe emotional stress.
- Microvascular Disease:
- Women are more prone to microvascular disease, which affects the small arteries of the heart, often leading to symptoms that differ from typical male heart attack presentations.
- Unequal Treatment:
- Some data shows that women often do not receive the same level of care as men when having heart-related events.
Workplace Stress and its Impact:
The modern workplace can be a significant source of stress, and this can disproportionately affect women. Factors such as:
- Work-life balance challenges.
- Gender-based discrimination.
- Unequal pay.
- Increased caregiving responsibilities.
These stressors contribute to the overall burden on women's cardiovascular health. We see from our Vibe surveys in our stress measurers that specific job roles and demographic profiles suffer acute stress levels.
In addition, in the UK, an estimated 17 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, accounting for over half of all working days lost due to work-related ill health. Poor mental health costs UK employers £45bn each year and the NHS even more. (Deloitte)
Vibe Technology for Early Detection:
In light of these findings, early detection and preventative measures are crucial. Our innovative facial scanning software offers a non-invasive way to potentially identify early signs of cardiovascular risk. By analysing subtle changes in facial blood flow and other physiological indicators, our technology can:
- Provide quick and accessible health screenings.
- Offer deep insights into employee health trends.
- Enable proactive interventions to mitigate risks.
- Allow for early detection of stress markers.
This technology can be a valuable tool for employers seeking to prioritise the well-being of their workforce, particularly women, and potentially save lives.
Important Considerations:
- It's crucial to remember that facial scanning technology should supplement, not replace, traditional medical evaluations.
- Privacy and data security are paramount when implementing such technologies.
This is a fantastic opportunity, especially for women who are juggling and managing their personal and professional lives under stress. By combining awareness of women's unique cardiovascular risks with cutting-edge technology, we can work towards a healthier future for all.
Don't hesitate to contact us for a free demo of this product and its integration into our overall stress measures and management solutions.