Women and Heart Disease

What All Women Should Know

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in American women — more than all forms of cancer combined. Over 60 million women in the United States live with some form of the disease. Common types of heart disease include:

Coronary artery disease. The most common type of heart disease in the United States and a leading cause of heart attacks

Arrhythmia. Conditions that cause an irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib)

Heart valve disease. Includes mitral valve prolapse and aortic stenosis

Heart failure. Includes cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure

Research has shown that only about half of women in the U.S. recognize that heart disease poses the deadliest risk to their lives. Raising awareness about this health threat can save women’s lives because, despite the grim statistics, heart disease is often preventable.

Age and Heart Disease in Women

Heart disease affects women at any age. Starting heart-healthy practices early has long-term benefits for women. According to the American Heart Association:

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for new mothers and accounts for over one-third of pregnancy-related deaths. High blood pressure (hypertension), gestational diabetes, and preexisting heart conditions can increase the risk. Black women have the highest maternal mortality rates.

Nearly 45% of females 20 years and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.
Less than 50% of women entering pregnancy have good heart health.
Menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease, but during middle age, a woman's risk for coronary artery disease and the risk factors that lead to coronary artery disease increase.

Family History of Heart Disease

Women with a family history of heart disease are at higher risk for developing heart conditions. That does not, however, exclude other women who are at risk because of certain health conditions and lifestyle habits. These may include:

Diabetes
Obesity
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Unhealthy food choices
Not exercising regularly
Not sleeping enough hours
Being stressed and anxious
Smoking

Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

Some of the most important symptoms of heart disease are related to symptoms of a heart attack.

“For women, the most common symptom is chest pain that feels like a chest pressure tightness, squeezing or burning. It can be a discomfort in the chest, shoulders, arms, back, neck or jaw. The pain can travel down one or both arms. Women have chest pain as often as men when having a heart attack. But women are more likely to have other associated symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, unusual tiredness, cold sweat, dizziness, palpitations, or weakness.”

Kathleen Stergiopoulos, MD, Catholic Health Cardiologist

Patients with acute onset symptoms should be evaluated in the emergency department.

Taking Care of Your Heart as a Woman

Women have to prioritize taking care of their overall health. Diet, exercise, sleep and stress all contribute to your well-being today and as you age. For women, health concerns often take a back seat as they juggle jobs, finances, and family responsibilities. Annual exams and health screenings often get delayed.

By embracing a heart-healthy lifestyle, women can reduce their risk for developing coronary artery disease or having a heart attack. The choices you make now - like exercising, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet can all help to minimize the risk.

Preventing heart disease (and all cardiovascular diseases) means making smart choices now that will pay off the rest of your life. “One heart healthy tip that I practice every day is eating a low sodium (< 1800 mg sodium), Mediterranean style diet that contains olive oil, whole grains, vegetables, nuts, low fat dairy, fish and beans,” said Dr. Stergiopoulos.

Women at any age can take simple steps for self-care to keep their heart healthy during each decade of life. These include:

Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a nutritious diet
Exercising regularly, including strength training
Getting enough sleep
Reducing stress levels
Drinking alcohol in moderation
Not smoking or using tobacco products
Scheduling an annual exam
Scheduling health screenings recommended by age

Keeping up with health care appointments is also essential to catching issues early, before complications or more serious conditions develop.

High blood pressure, for example, is often underdiagnosed in women, and less than one in four women with high blood pressure have the condition managed. Black women are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than white women. Schedule your exams!

Heart Attacks and Women

Heart attacks can present differently in women. Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms that may not include chest pain, such as:

Shortness of breath
Nausea/vomiting
Back pain and jaw pain
Lightheadedness
Cold sweats
Symptoms that wake you up from sleep

Women over the age of 55 are at a higher risk of having a heart attack. If you think you or someone you are with might be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Do not ignore the symptoms and delay in calling for help. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Do You Need to See a Cardiologist?

A primary care physician (PCP) will usually recommend that women routinely see a cardiologist in addition to their annual physical exam if they have a family history or other high-risk factors that increase their likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.

If a woman has no family history or high-risk factors, they should keep up with annual exams and talk to their PCP regarding when they need to see a cardiologist. Learn more about Cardiology Services at Catholic Health.

Advocate for Your Health

Heart disease is often preventable. Whatever your age is, you can start heart-healthy habits today. Even if you are not high risk, regularly check in with your doctor, who is your partner on your health care journey.