Why heart disease looks different for women
Women of all ages can take steps to lower their risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
You might have heard that heart disease can look different in women. Knowing the signs can help you better care for yourself and the women in your life.
What is heart disease?
There are several kinds.
If your arteries (the blood vessels that carry blood to your heart and brain) get too narrow or blocked, it’s called atherosclerosis. This condition can lead to chest pain (angina), a heart attack or a stroke.
Other heart conditions can affect your heart's muscle, valves or rhythm.
Women’s risks are for heart disease are different than men's risks
“Heart disease is often thought of as a man’s disease, but it is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.,” says Sudeshna Banerjee, MD, an interventional cardiologist at PeaceHealth in Springfield, Oregon.
If you were born with a female reproductive system, protecting your heart health starts with knowing your health risks.
Pregnancy
When you're pregnant, certain health concerns can affect your heart health before and after you have the baby. The most common complications that increase your risk for heart disease include:
- Preterm delivery: Having a baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy can trigger inflammation in your body. This puts you at higher risk of developing a heart condition in the future.
- Preeclampsia: If you develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, you’re more likely to have high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and blood clots in your legs. Some of these risks can last for up to 14 years after giving birth.
- Gestational diabetes: If you are diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, you have a higher chance of getting type 2 diabetes later in life. Type 2 diabetes raises your risk of stroke or heart attack.
Menopause
Most women stop having monthly periods by their mid to late 50s. This stage of life is called menopause. After menopause, a woman’s risk of heart disease goes up. This is because your body makes less of the female hormone estrogen. This can lead to higher cholesterol. High cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis.
Other heart health risks
Do any of the items in the lists below apply to you? If so, read on to learn about symptoms to watch for.
Health risks for men and women | Health risks for women |
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* Men can have this, but it’s more common for women. |
Women’s symptoms of heart attack can be subtle
“We see symptoms for heart attacks on TV, and people often think that’s what will happen — a person has crushing chest pain and gets sweaty,” says Dr. Banerjee. “For women, a heart attack can feel different in many ways.”
Here are some of the things you might experience:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness
- Pain in the chest on either side
- Pain in the back, especially between the shoulder blades
- Shortness of breath
- Left arm pain
- Nausea only
- Jaw pain
- Extreme fatigue
Nausea can be a surprising heart attack symptom in women. “I’ve seen women really surprised when they visit the ER for nausea, and tests show evidence of a heart attack,” Dr. Banerjee says. “It’s important for women and their families to know that nausea can be the only symptom.”
Shortness of breath is also easy to overlook, but it is a major symptom in women. “Sometimes I hear women say, ‘I feel like I am just getting old’ when they experience an increase in fatigue or shortness of breath in just a few weeks or months,” Dr. Banerjee adds. “For an increase to come on so quickly is not a normal sign of aging, and often the first signs of angina (heart pain).”
Knowing what to look for and when to act can save a life. If you have symptoms of heart disease, or notice someone else experiencing them, call 911 right away.
When you call, the operator may recommend chewing one adult-strength or two to four low-dose aspirin to get the medicine into your bloodstream quickly. Wait for an ambulance. Don’t try to drive yourself.
What women can do to prevent or reduce risks for heart disease
While women have different heart health risks, there’s a lot you can do to lower your chances of a heart condition. Here are some ways to keep your heart healthier:
- Check your blood pressure regularly and try to keep it in an optimal range.
- Get screened for diabetes. If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to manage your blood sugar.
- Quit smoking or vaping. If you don’t use tobacco, don’t start.
- Lose weight if you need ot. Even a few pounds can help.
- Check your blood cholesterol and triglycerides. If levels are high, talk with your PCP about ways to lower them.
- Make healthy eating a priority. Your diet can impact your blood pressure, cholesterol and other key heart health measures.
- Limit alcohol. Consider the advice from the American Heart Association on drinking.
- Manage your stress levels. Meditation, prayer and exercise can help.
- Exercise for 30 minutes three times a week. Among its many benefits, being physically active can help you manage stress, lower blood pressure and even out blood sugar levels.
If you're ready to start on the path to better heart health, talk with your primary care provider. “Your PCP can help you understand if you have risks for heart problems and refer you to a heart specialist if you need one,” Dr. Banerjee says.
Have an honest conversation about your physical activity, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. With solid information about your individual situation, you can take action that will make a difference.
If you don’t have a PCP, we can help you find someone. See who’s accepting new patients in your community.
