Heart Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know
Did you know that heart health research has only recently started to focus on the differences between men and women? For years, most studies were centered on men, leaving many women unaware of their unique risks and symptoms. Understanding these differences is crucial because it could save lives.
Let’s break down the key facts about women and heart health—and what you need to know to take care of your heart.
1️⃣ Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of Women
Yes, you read that right. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women globally, including in high-income countries like the U.S. This statistic crosses all racial and ethnic lines, making it an issue that affects all women.
And yet, many women remain unaware of their risks or dismiss symptoms as something less serious. Knowledge is power, and understanding the prevalence of heart disease is the first step toward protecting yourself.
2️⃣ Menopause Dramatically Increases Heart Risk
Here’s the deal: estrogen plays a protective role for the heart. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, your cardiovascular risk rises significantly.
In fact, for women of the same age, a postmenopausal woman’s risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event is double that of a premenopausal woman. And those uncomfortable menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats? Research links them to an increased risk of high blood pressure.
3️⃣ Women Face Unique Risk Factors
Unlike men, women encounter certain heart health risks that are tied to conditions specific to the female body, such as:
Gestational diabetes
Preeclampsia
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Each of these can increase your risk of heart disease, making it essential to monitor your heart health if you’ve experienced any of these conditions.
4️⃣ Heart Symptoms Are Often Misdiagnosed in Women
Did you know that women with heart symptoms are twice as likely as men to be told their issues are just ‘stress’ or ‘anxiety’? This misdiagnosis delays critical care and puts women at even greater risk.
Advocating for yourself when you feel something isn’t right—no matter what anyone says—is vital.
5️⃣ Heart Attacks Look Different in Women
While chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, women often experience less obvious signs, such as:
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, arm, or back
Dizziness
Nausea
Heartburn
Extreme fatigue
Because these symptoms aren’t as dramatic as the classic “clutching your chest” image, they’re easy to overlook or dismiss. But doing so could be life-threatening.
This February, Take Charge of Your Heart Health
February is #HeartHealth month, and understanding these facts could literally save your life—or the life of a loved one.
Ladies, your heart deserves as much care as the love you pour into others. Schedule that check-up, educate yourself about your unique risks, and take one more step toward a healthier, longer life.
Are you ready to learn more about your unique risks? I can help! As a board-certified Integrative & Functional Medicine physician, I can help you “think outside of the box and dig deeper with a variety of laboratory testing to assess your cardiovascular risk, help uncover the underlying root causes of your symptoms, and create a plan personalized for you that goes beyond the prescription pad to incorporate diet/lifestyle change, nutritional supplements, holistic therapies, health coaching and more! Contact us to get started!
References:
American Heart Association News: The Slowly Evolving Truth About Heart Disease and Women. Published February 9, 2024. [link]
Brush JE Jr, Hajduk AM, Greene EJ, Dreyer RP, Krumholz HM, Chaudhry SI. Sex Differences in Symptom Phenotypes Among Older Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction. Am J Med. 2022 Mar;135(3):342-349. [link]
Centers for Disease Control and Statistics (CDC): Heart Disease Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. Updated October 24, 2024. [link]
Maserejian NN, Link CL, Lutfey KL, Marceau LD, McKinlay JB. Disparities in physicians' interpretations of heart disease symptoms by patient gender: results of a video vignette factorial experiment. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009 Oct;18(10):1661-7. [link]