Women and heart disease: It’s not just a man’s problem
Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes are listed as some of the leading causes of death in women across the globe. But in the United States, the #1 killer of women may come as a shock: heart disease.
Heart disease has long been associated as a man’s condition, but this is one of many misconceptions surrounding women and heart disease—and it turns out it affects women differently than men.
Women with heart disease often don’t exhibit the classic symptoms that men do, such as chest pains, shortness of breath and feeling ill after overexertion. Women are also more likely to suffer what is called a "silent heart attack," a temporary blockage that can damage the heart—sometimes while they’re resting or asleep.
During a "silent heart attack," women may experience discomfort in their shoulder blades or pain in their abdomen that can sometimes be mistaken as an ulcer.
Women's heart attack symptoms vs. men
Women
Women may experience classic symptoms, but they are often milder:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
- Back or jaw pain
- Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
- Palpitations, cold sweats or paleness
- Mild, flu-like symptoms
Women most often report emotional stress prior to heart attacks.
Men
Men often, but not always, experience classic symptoms:
- Pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that goes away and comes back
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms
- Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
Men most often report physical exertion prior to heart attacks.
Comprehensive heart disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment options for heart and vascular conditions
For decades, Baylor Scott & White Health has delivered advanced heart and vascular care right here in Texas, pioneering many breakthrough techniques that have revolutionized cardiac care. Our team of cardiologists, surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists, radiologists, electrophysiologists and surgeons on the medical staff work with other healthcare professionals to provide you quality care for a range of heart and vascular conditions.
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