Heart Attack Risk Factors: How Different Are They For Men And Women?

Did you know that an estimated 1.79 crore people succumb to Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) each year? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood due to a complete or partial blockage in one of the arteries near the organ.

It is a known fact that heart attacks do not discriminate between genders, meaning that both men and women can develop them. However, there are certain distinctions in the ways that they may appear and behave in each gender, Dr Bimal Chhajer, Cardiologist, Former Consultant at AIIMS and Director, SAAOL Heart Centre, New Delhi, told the OnlyMyHealth team.

Also Read: What Does It Mean To Have A Healthy Heart Rate? Expert Answers

Heart Attack In Men Vs. Women

“While both men and women are capable of experiencing the common symptoms of a heart attack, such as discomfort or chest pain, women are more likely to encounter unusual symptoms or more quiet signs,” said Dr Chhajer.

For men: 

• Chest pain, characterised by a feeling of fullness and pressure in the centre of the chest
• Pain that radiates to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting in some individuals
• Sweating

For women:

• Breathlessness without any discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting, mistaken for symptoms of indigestion
• Pain or discomfort in the upper back or neck, which may be misdiagnosed as a muscular strain or other non-cardiac conditions
• Extreme fatigue and dizziness

How Risk Factors For Heart Attack Vary In Men And Women

In addition to the differences in how heart attacks manifest in men and women, there are certain variations in factors that put men and women at risk.

According to Dr Chajjer, men typically develop heart disease earlier in life than women. In fact, a study published in the Netherlands Heart Journal found that CVD develops 7–10 years later in women than in men, attributing it to the protection provided by the hormones oestrogen and progesterone during the reproductive years.

This is one of the reasons why menopausal women or women above the age of 65 are at a greater risk of developing heart disease. During this phase of a woman's life, oestrogen levels fall, which leads to fat accumulation in the arteries, causing them to become narrower and increasing the risk of developing coronary heart disease, a heart attack, or stroke, explains the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

But this does not mean that younger women cannot develop heart disease. A research article published by the American Heart Journal suggests that women aged 40 or younger with endometriosis are three times more likely to develop a heart attack.

Moreover, certain pregnancy-related factors, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, might also raise a woman's lifetime risk of heart disease.

Also Read: Why Do Women Have A Higher Risk Of Stroke Than Men

Are Women More Likely To Diet After Heart Attack Than Men?

A 2023 study revealed that women are roughly twice as likely to die after a heart attack compared to men, regardless of age. This holds true even after considering factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and receiving timely treatment.

The study, presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress, analysed data from over 800 patients who suffered heart attacks. It found that both premenopausal and postmenopausal women had higher death rates and experienced more complications compared to men of similar age.

Prevention Is Key

While the risk factors for and symptoms of heart attack vary in men and women, preventive measures remain almost the same for both.

According to Dr Chhajer, maintaining a healthy diet, indulging in regular exercise, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes, reducing stress, and most importantly, getting regular checkups can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack.