Heart Disease in Women: Why It's Often Misdiagnosed

People still consider heart disease to be a man's problem. For decades, studies and pictures in the media supported this idea, often presenting men having heart attacks as sudden chest-clutching incidents. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women around the world. It kills more women each year than all types of cancer combined. However, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, inadequately treated, or ignored when they go to the doctor.

Understanding Heart Disease in Women

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in women in the United States. The data shared by the World Heart Federation shows cardiovascular disease accounts for around 30% of deaths in women annually. This number is twice the number of deaths in women due to cancer. One of the primary reasons for this is the myth that cardiovascular disease affects men more than women. With increased awareness, the chances of improving outcomes can also increase.

Common Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some women do not exhibit symptoms of heart disease at an initial stage, but these are potential symptoms that women may have:

• Pain in the jaw, throat, or neck
• Pain in the back or upper abdomen
• Angina or chest pain

Along with these, women may also experience the following:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue or extreme tiredness

Also Read: Sedentary Lifestyle and Heart Risk: How Dangerous Is Sitting All Day?

Why Do Women Experience Different Heart Disease Symptoms than Men?

Dr Deebanshu Gupta, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Sarvodya Hospital, Jalandhar, explains, “Crushing chest pain is a classic indicator of a heart attack, but women often have a wider range of symptoms that are not as visible. These include feeling short of breath and nauseous, having jaw or back discomfort, feeling tired and dizzy, and experiencing pressure instead of severe chest pain.”

People commonly misinterpret these symptoms because they are similar to those of acidity, anxiety, or stress. Women may delay seeking help, and even in clinical settings, these indicators are sometimes overlooked.

The Journal of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners notes that women are more likely to get microvascular disease, which affects smaller blood vessels instead of large arteries. This makes it more challenging to identify the problem using routine tests, increasing the risk of missing or delaying a diagnosis.

How Hormones Impact Heart Health in Women

Hormones are crucial for a woman's heart health. Oestrogen improves the functioning of the blood vessels, balancing cholesterol levels, and lowering inflammation during the reproductive years.

• This protection decreases after menopause. Cholesterol levels vary, blood pressure increases, and fat distribution changes, all of which raise the risk of heart disease. In 10 years, a woman's risk can be almost as high as a man's.
• Past health conditions are also important.
• Pregnancy problems, including gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, increase the risk of heart disease later in life.
• PCOS is connected to insulin resistance and inflammation.
• Early menopause doubles the risk as it signifies a longer time without hormonal protection.

Also Read: Can 30 Minutes of Walking a Day Prevent Heart Disease

Misdiagnosis: Why Heart Disease is Often Overlooked in Women

Women don't get diagnosed with heart disease as often as men, because of decades of research that concentrated on men. The Cureus Journal of Medical Science notes that most cardiovascular research only included men until the 1990s, leading to diagnostic guidelines based on male symptoms.

Because of this, women are less likely to get tested, get prompt treatment, or be given standard drugs. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or diseases that aren't related to the heart at first.

The way people see things worsens the problem. Many women don't think they're at risk, especially if they're young or look healthy. This makes them wait longer to receive the right care.

The Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of heart disease is critical for women to prevent delayed diagnosis and improve outcomes. Since symptoms differ in men and women, early detection prevents potential issues and reduces the risk. According to research published in the journal 'Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine', identifying risk factors like cholesterol and high blood pressure in women can significantly avert complications.

Here are some reasons why early detection is crucial for women:

• Unique symptom presentation: Women exhibit subtler symptoms of heart disease compared to men, which leads to delayed diagnosis. Thus, regular check-ups are important.
• Preventing complications: By analysing the risk probability, it becomes easier to control the triggers and prevent complications.
• Easy management: If you learn about the risks in time, you can take proactive measures to manage the condition through diet and lifestyle modifications.

Risk Factors That Are Only for Women

Some risk factors have a larger effect on women.

• Chronic inflammation increases the likelihood of autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Long-term stress and depression are also quite important.
• Women are more likely to have heart problems if they have diabetes, and smoking makes the risk even higher.
• A history of problems during pregnancy should be seen as an early warning sign.

When to Seek Help: Recognising the Signs of Heart Issues

“Women shouldn't overlook symptoms like pressure or heaviness in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, tiredness, dizziness, or pain in the jaw, back, or arms. These symptoms might not be very noticeable. They may come and go, or get easily ignored,” shares Dr Gupta.
Persistent weariness, palpitations, limb oedema, or decreased exercise tolerance may also signify underlying cardiac conditions. It's crucial to be aware, but it's even more important to act on signs.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience symptoms of heart disease, such as acute chest pain, breathlessness, sharp and debilitating pain in the jaw, or back, seek immediate medical help. Preventive screenings are essential for women falling under risk groups, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy problems, or menopause.

If you think you could be having a heart attack, get medical help immediately. Early intervention can significantly differ in the damage done to the heart.

Conclusion

Heart disease is widespread in women, yet it is often challenging to spot and easy to miss. The first step toward better results is to recognise its unique patterns. With rising cases of heart disease in women, it has become crucial to get routine check-ups done to identify the risk and act on time to ward it off.