Women and Heart Disease

February is heart health awareness month and so we focus on women and heart disease – specifically how they present differently than men.

Key differences in presentation include:

· Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms, including pain/discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or stomach.

· Extreme, unexplained tiredness also is a significant symptom in women.

· Shortness of breath can occur with or without chest pain, even at rest.

· Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting can signal a heart attack in women.

· Symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting also are more common.

· Symptoms may occur during emotional stress or sleep, unlike men who often experience them during exertion.

· There is an underlying reason for these differences from men, including the fact women often have smaller blood vessels, making blockages harder to see and treat.

· Plaque in women can be softer and less calcified, appearing normal on standard imaging.

· Women often develop blockages in the heart's smaller vessels, which differs from the large artery blockages typical in men.

· Finally, hormonal changes, particularly around menopause, and pregnancy complications can affect heart health.

So why does this matter? Quite simply, recognizing these signs and seeking immediate emergency care is crucial for women. Bottom line: always listen to your body.