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Protect your heart health by knowing about women’s heart disease symptoms

Protect your heart health by knowing about women’s heart disease symptoms

Heart disease is the top killer of women in the United States, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms and take good care of your heart. Too often, people mistake common women’s heart disease symptoms for other, non-life threatening conditions. That’s because heart attack in women doesn’t always look like it does in men. Our San Antonio women’s health specialists know that early intervention can save lives, so we are here to make sure you have the information you need to protect your heart health.

Why do men have different symptoms than women?

The biggest reason that women’s heart disease symptoms are different is the differences in male and female anatomy. In men, coronary arteries tend to be larger, and plaque tends to be harder, so men are more prone to developing hardened plaque blockages in their large coronary arteries. In women, plaque is softer and blood vessels are smaller, so blockages tend to occur in the small arteries branching out from the larger coronary arteries. This condition is known as microvascular disease.

What are common women’s heart disease symptoms?

Many people think of heart disease symptoms as the severe, chest-clutching pain that we often see in the movies. But in women, heart disease doesn’t always look like this.

Women can certainly experience angina, or chest pain, as a warning sign of heart disease. However, there are other signs that can indicate that coronary artery disease, which can reduce blood flow to your heart and eventually lead to a heart attack.

  • A tight feeling in the chest
  • Pressure or discomfort in the chest, especially during physical activity or stress
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Feeling short of breath
  • Pain radiating to the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen or back
  • Severe, unexplained fatigue

These symptoms don’t always indicate a heart emergency, but they can indicate that heart disease is already developing. If you do experience women’s heart disease symptoms, it’s best to get checked out right away, so call 911 or get to an emergency room as quickly as possible.

Learn more about how to prevent heart attack in women

Our experienced team of San Antonio women’s health specialists is here to support your overall health and wellness – and that includes helping you protect your heart health. If you have questions about how to prevent heart attack in women, or if you have concerns about women’s heart disease symptoms, we are here to help you. Contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your heart health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both women and men. About 44% of women in the United States will experience heart disease. Cardiovascular conditions are the cause of death for about 1 one 5 U.S. women every year. This is why taking care of heart health is so important for women of all ages.

Women’s hearts and coronary arteries are smaller than men’s, and the plaque their bodies develop tends to be softer, giving women a higher risk for developing blockages in tiny blood vessels. Women’s hormones can also affect their small arteries. These physical differences mean that women often have more subtle symptoms of heart disease – like radiating pain, pressure, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness – that can easily be mistaken for other health concerns.

Symptoms of heart attack in women can include pain that radiates to the jaw, neck or upper back; pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen; severe fatigue or weakness; or lightheadedness, nausea or shortness of breath. Because many of these symptoms can be caused by other issues, it’s easy to dismiss them, but it’s best to get checked out right away if these symptoms pop up suddenly and with no explanation.