Published on August 01, 2024

Women & Heart Disease

woman in jean shirt holding red heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and can affect women at any age.

Closer to home, heart disease is not only the leading cause of death, but Mississippi also ranks as one of the highest states in the nation for both heart attack and stroke deaths.

Women with a history of heart attack are more likely to have complications and increased mortality. Too often, women are unaware of their risks of heart disease or what they can do about it.

Women are more likely to develop heart failure or die within five years of a heart attack.

Research has shown that often women are more likely to wait before getting medical attention, causing delays in care they need.

Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

The most common heart attack symptom in both women and men is typically some type of chest discomfort, or angina. This can include pressure, pain or tightness that lasts for varying periods of time.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Pain in the neck, jaw or throat
  • Pain in the upper abdomen or back
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Heartburn (indigestion)

Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until you have other symptoms or emergencies, including:

  • Heart attack
  • Arrhythmia or fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations)
  • Heart failure

Compared with men, women tend to have symptoms more often when resting or even while asleep. In addition, stress can play a role in triggering heart attack symptoms in women.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Key health risk factors for heart disease are:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol, particularly the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity

Key health behaviors which contribute to the development of heart disease are:

  • Binge drinking (4 or more drinks in one sitting for women)
  • Smoking
  • Physical inactivity

Reduce Your Risk

To lower your chances of getting heart disease, it’s important to know your risk factors and take action.

  • Know your blood pressure. High blood pressure sometimes has NO symptoms, so it’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or less.
  • Talk to your health care team about whether you should be tested for diabetes. If you have diabetes, your three-month blood sugar average (or A1C) should be maintained at less than 6.5%.
  • Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products!
  • Talk to your health care provider about checking your cholesterol and triglycerides.
    • If you have known coronary disease, the American College of Cardiology now recommends a moderate to high intensity statin and only two are recommended--Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin). Statin drugs work to stabilize or reduce plaque.

    • If you do not have heart disease, your provider should evaluate your risk by utilizing a tool called the ASCVD risk calculator. It will take information about you, like your BP, cholesterol, age and smoking history to determine your 10-year risk of developing coronary artery disease. If your 10-year risk is greater than 7.5%, a statin may be indicated.

  • Exercise. The recommendation is 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week.

  • Eat wisely for heart health. The diet most often recommended is the Mediterranean style diet.

  • Watch your weight. Your body mass index should be less than 25 with a waist circumference less than 35 inches.

  • Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day.

  • Manage stress by finding healthy ways to cope.

Lastly, get checked!

Heart screenings are available. A calcium score is a great screening tool that is available to everyone 35 years or older. This quick scan is a quick, convenient, and noninvasive way to evaluate the amount of calcified (hard) plaque in your heart vessels. The level of calcium equates to the extent of plaque build-up in your arteries. Plaque in the arteries can cause heart attacks. Click here to schedule a heart screening.

Early detection and treatment is key to limiting your risks. Do not delay and don’t think it won’t happen to you!

Find ways to incorporate heart-healthy habits and follow your health provider's recommendations.

Almost as many women as men die each year of heart disease. Here's what you should know.