Women and Heart Disease: What Women Need to Know

Learn the signs

When your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen, you may experience a feeling called angina. It can be a sign that you are at risk for having a heart attack. Angina is often referred to as "chest pain," but this can be misleading. It’s not always painful, and it’s not always in the chest. Many women have other symptoms along with—or instead of—chest pain or discomfort. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Discomfort, aching, tightness, or pressure that comes and goes, in the back, abdomen (belly), arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or chest

• Feeling much more tired than usual, for no clear reason

• Becoming breathless while doing something that used to be easy

• Heartburn, nausea, or a burning feeling that seems unrelated to food

• Lightheadedness or faintness

Get to the heart of the problem

Women often don’t realize their symptoms could be related to a heart condition Even some doctors don’t make the connection at first. If you feel any of the symptoms listed here, see your doctor and ask to be tested for heart disease. Do so even if you’re not sure that’s the cause. Tests, such as an electrocardiogram stress echocardiogram, nuclear imaging, and cardiac catheterization, will reveal more about the condition of your heart. If your symptoms are heart-related, your doctor will start treatment.

Hormone therapy is not the answer

Doctors used to think that older women could reduce their heart disease risk by taking hormones in pill form (hormone therapy or HT). It turns out that’s not true. In fact, HT could actually increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of HT. It may be prescribed for other health problems. But it should not be taken to prevent or treat heart disease.

Is it angina or a heart attack?

Angina that occurs on exertion and goes away after a few minutes of rest or with medicine is called stable angina. Unstable angina is unpredictable or unexpected angina symptoms that don't resolve. Or they may go away and come back. This is a medical emergency. It could be a sign of an active heart attack. Call 911 right away!