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Heart disease is often perceived as a “man’s problem,” but it remains the leading cause of death for women worldwide. Nevertheless, women’s complaints continue to go unnoticed, which causes delays in diagnosis and treatment. Women don’t often have the same crushing chest pain that men get when they have a heart attack.
To have a deeper understanding of the problem, we contacted Cardiologist, Dr. Tanmay S. Kulkarni. Women’s symptoms can be mild and readily confused with commonplace problems like stress, exhaustion, or indigestion, according to Dr. Tamnay. To save lives, it is essential to recognize these distinctions.
Common symptoms in women
“Women are more prone to develop atypical symptoms such as jaw pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and acute tiredness, although chest pain is the most prevalent symptom for both sexes. Besides, women may experience extreme fatigue, pain in one or both arms and sweating, among others. These differences hinder early identification and treatment, putting women’s lives in danger,” said Dr Tamany. Here are the signs to watch out for:
- Shortness of breath
- Jaw or back pain
- Nausea or indigestion-like discomfort
- Extreme fatigue
- Sweating
- Pain in one or both arms
Because these signs don’t always “look” like a heart attack, women are less likely to seek immediate care.
Why women experience different symptoms
The reason lies in biology. Women are more prone to coronary microvascular disease, where blockages occur in smaller arteries rather than the large vessels usually affected in men. Hormonal changes, especially the drop in oestrogen after menopause, also affect how women’s hearts respond to disease.
Risk factors that affect women more strongly
- Diabetes: increases risk of silent heart attacks
- Stress and depression: trigger cardiovascular issues more readily
- Smoking: raises the risk significantly
- Pregnancy complications: such as preeclampsia, can have a long-term impact
- Autoimmune diseases: like lupus, are more common in women
Prevention and heart-healthy tips for women
While women face unique challenges, prevention is possible with lifestyle changes and timely care.
Every day steps to lower risk
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise
- Manage stress with mindfulness or therapy
- Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar through regular check-ups
- Prioritise 7–9 hours of sleep each night
Women over 40, particularly those with risk factors, should schedule frequent heart exams. Raising knowledge of gender-specific heart attack symptoms can encourage women to seek treatment sooner, improving survival and outcomes.
