Heart Disease In Women: Risks, Symptoms And Prevention
Explore the risks, symptoms, and prevention strategies for heart disease in women. Learn how factors like lifestyle, diet, and regular check-ups can help protect women’s heart health.
Written by Dr.Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Across the world, one of the leading causes of death is heart disease, affecting both women and men. However, how a heart disease manifests and impacts women can differ significantly. This necessitates greater awareness, knowledge, and understanding. Heart disease is a general term that may include several types of heart problems, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, congenital heart disease or broken heart syndrome. Coronary heart disease (also called coronary artery disease) is the most common type in both women and men. It occurs slowly over time when a sticky substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood. Heart disease can affect women in a number of ways. Women may also experience pain in different parts of the body, such as arms, stomach, jaws, and neck.
Heart Disease Symptoms in Women
Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack. Women are more likely than men to have symptoms that may seem unrelated to a heart attack. Below are a few symptoms of heart disease in women:
Pain or discomfort in the chest that may be heavy, dull, or sharp.
Nausea or vomiting.
Shortness of breath during physical activity.
Unusual fatigue.
Pain in the neck, back, throat, jaw or upper belly.
Women with coronary artery disease are more likely than men to have chest pain when resting or doing daily activities rather than during exercises. They are also more likely to feel chest pain from mental stress. During a heart attack, women may feel the following:
Dizziness
Stomach pain
Indigestion
Heart Disease Risk Factors for Women
Traditional risk factors for heart disease, like obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, may affect anyone, irrespective of their gender. However, it was found that these risk factors have some sex-based differences. There are a few risk factors and diagnoses unique to people assigned female at birth (AFAB) as mentioned below:
1. Obesity
When females go through menopause, they may have a higher risk of obesity (a body mass index – BMI, greater than 30). They are more likely to gain abdominal fat, which is linked to a higher risk for heart disease. Obesity may triple the risk of a heart disease among people AFAB.
2. Menopause
Estrogen helps in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, surgical removal of the ovaries or natural menopause can cause estrogen levels to drop. This results in a higher risk of high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and blood clots.
3. Lack of Exercise
Exercise plays a crucial role in reducing heart disease risk among people AFAB more than among people assigned male at birth (AMAB).
4. Diabetes Mellitus
People AFAB with diabetes may two to four times be more likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to people AMAB with diabetes.
5. High Cholesterol
Also called hyperlipidaemia, it is a risk factor for heart disease that applies to everyone. A low level of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) may be more dangerous for people AFAB than for those AMAB age 65 and older.
6. High Blood Pressure
Also called hypertension, it is more likely found in people AFAB over age 60 than people AMAB, but less likely to have it managed. That is partly due to the difference in:
Sensitivity to sodium: After menopause, the body is more sensitive to sodium, which means one needs to restrict sodium in one’s diet even more than before to prevent a rise in blood pressure.
Treatment responses: People AFAB are more likely to have adverse drug reactions. These reactions can make it challenging to find a suitable treatment plan.
7. Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases may greatly increase a person’s risk of heart attack, cardiovascular problems like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), type 1 diabetes, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and heart failure.
8. Smoking
People AFAB who smoke are more likely to develop heart disease than people AMAB who smoke. They are also three times more likely to have a heart attack.
9. Gestational Diabetes
Diagnosis of gestational diabetes can raise the overall lifetime risk of developing diabetes. It also increases the risk of heart disease throughout life.
10. PCOS
PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) raises cardiovascular disease risk. People with PCOS can develop individual risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, and high blood pressure.
11. Oral Contraceptive Therapy
“The pill” may increase the risk for heart disease if one has other risk factors, such as smoking or obesity.
12. Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (post-partum or pregnancy-associated) may cause weakening of the heart. This may later lead to heart failure.
Types of Heart Disease Prevalent in Women
Below are a few heart diseases prevalent in women:
Stroke: Heart disease increases the risk of stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Women with heart disease must be aware of stroke symptoms such as confusion, difficulty in speaking and sudden numbness.
Coronary Artery Disease: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in women. It is characterised by the narrowing of arteries due to plaque build-up, which may lead to angina and heart attacks.
Heart Failure: Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. This may cause fluid retention, fatigue, and breathlessness. Women may develop a specific type called heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Diagnostic Tests for Heart Disease in Women
Below are tests that can be recommended to women for heart disease:
Echocardiogram: This ultrasound test provides detailed images of the heart’s structure and function, helping to identify valve issues and heart failure.
Stress Tests: Stress tests assess how the heart performs under physical exertion, identifying blockages that may not be evident during rest.
Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG): An electrocardiogram records the heart’s electrical activity to detect irregular rhythms and signs of a heart attack.
Prevention Strategies of Heart Disease in Women
One can lower their risk by learning the risk factors, so one can work on changing them. Some of the prevention strategies include:
Visiting a healthcare professional for yearly physical exams.
Working with the healthcare provider to manage the blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
Making an exercise plan which works the best for them.
Following a heart-healthy diet plan.
Avoiding tobacco products and limiting alcohol.
Making lifestyle changes like managing stress and getting a good sleep.
Treatment Options for Heart Disease
Treatment options for heart disease in women include the following:
Surgical interventions: Procedures like stent replacement, angioplasty, and bypass surgery may be required for severe cases of heart disease.
Medications: Medications such as beta-blockers, statins, and anticoagulants are commonly prescribed for managing heart disease and preventing complications.
Alternate Therapies: Alternative therapies such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture can support traditional treatments by reducing stress and improving overall well-being.
Conclusion
It is crucial to understand the unique risk factors, symptoms, and prevention strategies for heart disease in women for early detection and effective management. The diagnosis of heart disease may also lead to anxiety and depression. Living with heart disease requires ongoing management of chronic conditions through medications, regular medical check-ups and lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis can significantly improve outcomes, reduce complications and enhance the quality of life for women with heart disease. Staying informed, seeking regular medical check-ups and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can empower women to take charge of their heart health.
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