Heart Disease in Women

In fact, there are some heart diseases, such as SCAD and FMD, which affect women more than they do men.

How common is heart disease in women?

• Nearly three times more women die of heart disease than breast cancer in Australia
• 10 Australian women die every day from a heart attack
• 22 women die every day of heart disease in Australia.

What are the symptoms of heart disease for women?

There tends to be a common misconception when it comes to the symptoms associated with heart disease in women. These symptoms can vary from those in men, so it’s important that women take the steps to understand the symptoms unique to them.

Only one in three women will experience ‘typical’ heart attack symptoms such as pain in the centre of the chest. This can be severe, but can alternatively be described as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or fullness which can last for a few minutes, go away, and then comes back.

Instead, many women suffer from less common warning signs such as:

• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Unusual feelings of fatigue
• Heart palpitations

While these symptoms can be more subtle than the typical crushing chest pain, it’s important to take them seriously. Another difference to be aware of is the type of chest pain women may experience, as it tends to be described as pressure or tightness.

Women’s heart attack symptoms may occur more often when they are asleep or resting and can even be triggered by stress. If you experience any of these symptoms or think you are having a heart attack, immediately call an ambulance.

What are the risk factors for women's heart disease?

While several traditional risk factors for heart disease can affect both women and men, other factors may play a greater role in the onset of heart disease in women. These can include:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Diabetes – women with type 1 diabetes have a five-fold increased risk of heart failure and those with type 2 diabetes are 10 times more likely to have heart disease.
• Stress and depression cause your heart rate and blood pressure to rise, which reduces blood flow to the heart. Your body also produces higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and over time this can lead to heart disease.
• Smoking accounts of one-fifth of all heart disease deaths
• Inactivity
• Some other risk factors which cannot be controlled include menopause, pregnancy complications like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes (which can increase heart disease risk later in life), age, and family history.

Genetics

A family history of heart disease does increase your risk of illness and death, but researchers at the Institute have made an exciting discovery which could reduce the rate of heart attacks in women and transform the treatment of heart and vascular disease for females.

The Institute’s Executive Director, Professor Jason Kovacic, was at the centre of the new sex-specific research which compared the genetic changes of men and women at risk of a heart attack, allowing for a better understanding of Australia’s biggest killer.

Signs of poor heart health are not always obvious, which is why it's important to regularly monitor things like your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and glucose. It is also important to encourage the women close to you to have regular check-ups to reduce the risk of heart disease or heart attack.

Researching women's heart disease at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

How is heart disease treated in women?

Similar action is taken to treat heart disease in both men and women. Depending on the diagnosis, treatments can include medications, angioplasty, stenting, coronary bypass surgery or cardiac rehabilitation. Your doctor may also recommend a change in lifestyle to delay the onset of heart disease.

The most recent research shows that women are often being under-treated when it comes to heart disease, with women who suffer a heart attack half as likely to receive proper treatments and twice as likely to die as men.

This highlights the need for women to be aware of their risk factors, as well as symptoms of heart disease, and learn what can be done to treat heart disease.

How can women prevent heart disease?

There are a number of lifestyle changes women can make to reduce their risk of developing heart disease. They can include:

• Avoid smoking
• Partake in regular exercise, starting with daily walking
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Consume a healthy balanced diet
• Manage your stress
• Limit alcohol intake
• Manage other health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Ask your doctor for a heart health check which looks at the key risk signs. Download our Heart Health Check Guide to take with you to your next doctor's appointment.

Women's heart patient stories

Read these incredible stories of survival from these women, and learn about the various heart diseases that can impact women.