Sudden, crushing chest pain may come to mind when thinking about heart disease symptoms. While these are common and serious signs of heart trouble, many women experience much subtler symptoms that are easy to mistake for stress, fatigue, or indigestion.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet women are often diagnosed later than men because their symptoms don’t fit the “classic” pattern. Understanding how heart disease presents in women can help you recognize the warning signs earlier and get the care you need.
At Cardiology Specialists of Orange County in Santa Ana and Newport Beach, California, our cardiovascular disease experts help women find their risk factors, recognize concerning symptoms, and protect their long-term health.
About 44% of women in the United States live with some form of heart disease. This includes conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart, such as:
CAD, the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, is the most common type of heart disease in women. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for one in every five female deaths, making it a major health concern.
For many years, most cardiovascular research focused primarily on men. As a result, we now recognize that heart disease doesn’t always develop or present the same in women.
Women's hearts are generally smaller than men’s, tend to beat faster, and may respond differently to hormonal changes and stress. These biological differences can influence both the type of heart disease women develop and the symptoms they experience.
For example, women are more likely to develop coronary microvascular disease, blockages or narrowing in the tiny blood vessels of the heart. They’re also more likely to experience stress-induced cardiomyopathy, commonly called broken heart syndrome, a temporary weakening of the heart muscle brought on by intense emotional or physical stress.
Some women with heart disease have few or no symptoms. Others develop symptoms that are less obvious than the classic crushing chest pain associated with a heart attack.
Warning signs may include:
Many women experience these symptoms while resting or during sleep, making them easy to miss. Fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath may occur without significant chest pain, which is one reason heart disease is overlooked.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest discomfort, pain spreading to your jaw or neck, or sudden shortness of breath. These are symptoms of a heart attack, and getting prompt medical care can improve your chances of survival.
Even if your symptoms aren’t an emergency, don’t ignore ongoing concerns. If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, or you notice unexplained fatigue or chest discomfort, it’s worth scheduling a cardiovascular evaluation.
During your visit, we review medical and family history, complete a physical exam, and recommend diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), bloodwork, or other imaging to evaluate your heart’s structure and function.
We discuss ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, including eating a heart-healthy diet, staying physically active, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol.
Heart disease doesn’t always look the same in women, and recognizing the differences can make all the difference. If you’re concerned about your heart health or have symptoms you can’t explain, schedule an appointment with our team by calling our office today.
