Published on February 10, 2024

Dr. Robertello Talks Women's Heart Health

It's important for women to understand their unique symptoms of heart disease in order to help reduce their risks.

Michael Robertello, MD

February is Heart Health month and coincides nicely with Valentine’s Day. It is also a good time to review what we know about heart health and heart disease, specifically when it comes to women.

All women face the threat of heart disease and therefore it is important to be aware of the symptoms that are unique to women. Women may not be aware that the initial symptom could be caused by heart disease because of that, they may not seek prompt medical evaluation. Fortunately, women can take steps to understand their unique symptoms of heart disease and therefore play a pivotal role to begin to reduce their risks.

Heart Attack Symptoms for Women

The most common heart attack symptom in women and men is some type of pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest. It is not always severe or even the most prominent symptom. Sometimes women may have a heart attack without chest pain. Women may be more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain such as:

  • Unique fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Right arm pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness

These symptoms may be more subtle than the crushing chest pain that is often associated with heart attacks. Women tend to have smaller arteries that supply blood to the heart and are generally older than men when they start having symptoms. However, younger women can also present with a myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack. If you experience any of the above symptoms, please call 911 immediately.

Heart Disease Risk Factors for Women

  • Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease significantly more in women than in men
  • Depression affects women’s hearts more than men
  • Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than men
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Low levels of estrogen after menopause
  • High blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s long-term risk of heart disease

What can women do to decrease their risk of heart disease?

These are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease:

  • Eat a healthy diet low in fat, cholesterol, and salt
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly, 30-60 minutes daily
  • Quit or do not start smoking
  • Take all of your prescribed medications
  • See your heath care provider regularly

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the US and one in four women will die of heart disease. These are staggering statistics. Educating yourself about cardiac risk factors in conjunction with regular visits to your primary care provider will help in the fight against heart disease. There are many educational opportunities through Rutland Regional Medical Center and the American Heart Association.