In women, heart disease, in many cases, has a variety of symptoms that people can easily omit or confuse with other diseases.These symptoms must be identified for treatment to start in the early stages.
Chest pain often indicates a heart attack, and with women, they may feel it differently. Rather than the severe and crunching pains typical of male heart attacks, women can display dull and aching discomfort. They may feel oppression, constriction, or even vasoconstriction in the chest area. It may also spread to different areas of the body, including the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Such symptoms can be episodic, and this makes them 'silent’ because one would not be aware that they are symptoms of a heart problem.
Another symptom of heart disease, especially in women, is when they easily get tired all the time and can rarely explain why this is so. Often, women have complained of exhaustion even when they have had sufficient sleep. This fatigue usually impairs their capacity to perform daily tasks and is considered one of the early symptoms of heart disease. This type of tiredness is abnormal, and other signs may include shortness of breath or chest pain that differs from normal tiredness.
Other symptom of heart disease is shortness of breath, even while doing light housework or while at rest. Women may find that they are easily out of breath when doing things that did not make them have a hard time breathing before. This symptom is sometimes acute, and when it combines with chest pains, it can be very worrying for them.
Women are known to present differently than men when having heart attacks since more than 50% report gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. Doctors sometimes confuse these symptoms with indigestion or some problem with the gastrointestinal tract, and this misinterpretation may lead to incorrect treatment decisions. However, when nausea or vomiting accompanies symptoms such as chest pain or breathing difficulty, women must report these symptoms to a doctor as soon as possible.
Women may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting as symptom of heart disease. This sensation may occur suddenly and may sometimes be associated with symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, or sweating. Head dizziness is especially notable when it occurs with the listed symptoms, which may indicate a heart disorder.
Women may also feel jaw, neck, or shoulder discomfort during a heart attack. This can be gradual or acute pain, and it may originate from the sternum or be a standalone process. Women often describe it as discomfort in the form of pressure or constant low pain. Since this symptom is not very conspicuous, people may associate it with other diseases, and the start of a heart attack can remain unnoticed.
Sweating is normal, but specific symptoms, such as excessive sweating without engaging in vigorous activity, may signal a heart attack. Women may complain of cold sweats or of having clammy hands and feet. This is usually not regarded or reported, but whenever women experience this together with chest pain or difficulty breathing, they should seek medical attention.
Several risk factors can predispose women to heart disease. While some of these factors are common to both men and women, others are more prevalent or have a greater impact on women. Understanding and managing these risk factors is key to reducing the likelihood of developing heart disease.
Age is a significant risk factor for heart disease in women. The risk increases significantly after menopause, typically around the age of 55. The decline in estrogen levels during menopause is believed to play a role in this increased risk, as estrogen is thought to have a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels.
It is a major risk factor for heart disease. Over time, consistently elevated blood pressure can damage the heart and arteries, leading to heart disease. Women, especially those who are postmenopausal, face an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, which can contribute to the development of heart disease.
An imbalance in cholesterol levels, particularly high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL, causes a condition known as atherosclerosis. This narrowing and hardening of the arteries restrict blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. Women, particularly after menopause, are more likely to experience unfavorable changes in cholesterol levels, making it crucial to monitor and manage these levels through lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication.
Smoking is a well-established risk factor for heart disease and has a particularly strong impact on women. Women who smoke are significantly more likely to develop heart disease than non-smokers.
Women with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease compared to men with diabetes. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and increase the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis.
Being overweight or obese is another significant risk factor for heart disease in women. Excess body weight, particularly around the abdomen, is associated with higher levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, and insulin resistance—all of which contribute to heart disease.
A family history of heart disease, particularly in a first-degree relative (such as a parent or sibling), increases a woman’s risk of developing the condition. Genetic factors can predispose women to heart disease, but awareness of this risk allows for earlier monitoring and preventive measures.
Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression are increasingly recognized as risk factors for heart disease, particularly in women. Managing stress through healthy lifestyle choices, mindfulness, and seeking support when needed is important for heart health.
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Men | Women |
| Chest Pain | Typically severe and crushing, often described as feeling like an "elephant sitting on the chest" | Often described as a dull ache, pressure, squeezing sensation, or discomfort, sometimes radiating to the jaw, neck, or shoulder |
| Other Symptoms | Shortness of breath, sweating (often cold and clammy), nausea, vomiting, left arm pain, lightheadedness, fainting | Shortness of breath, fatigue (even with enough sleep), nausea, vomiting, jaw pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, unexplained sweating, dizziness, lightheadedness |
| Risk Factors | Age (especially after 45), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, family history of heart disease, obesity, stress | Age (especially after 55), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, family history of heart disease, obesity, menopause, pregnancy-related complications, autoimmune diseases, sleep apnea |
| Unique Risk Factors for Women | Pregnancy-related complications (e.g., preeclampsia), autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus), sleep apnea |
Cardiac disease entails various diseases affecting the heart muscles and blood vessels, and it is a common cause of death known to affect both males and females, though its manifestations differ in women; therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of the disease pose some challenges.
Learning more about the differences in the manifestation of the disease and the possible predictors in women would help to identify the problem in time. Understanding such factors and taking efforts to control them significantly lowers the risk of heart disease in women and enhances female heart health.
Getting routine exams and checkups, following a proper diet, engaging in proper exercise, and being able to consult a doctor as soon as one develops symptoms are ways to counter heart diseases for healthy and longer living.
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