Heart disease is a leading cause of death in women, often with different symptoms than in men.
Types of Heart Disease
Coronary artery disease: The most common heart disease is caused by plaque in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to your heart and other parts of your body. After menopause, women are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease because of hormonal changes.
Arrhythmia: This condition is when your heart beats too slowly, too fast, or in an irregular way. A common example is atrial fibrillation.
Heart failure: Heart failure is when your heart is too weak to pump enough blood to support other organs in your body. This condition is serious, but it doesn’t mean your heart has stopped beating.
Warning Signs for Women:
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve
- Nausea or indigestion-like discomfort
- Chest pressure instead of sharp pain
- Pain in jaw, neck, or back
Know your blood pressure.
Having uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and dementia. High blood pressure has no symptoms. It’s important to check your blood pressure regularly and report elevated readings to your health care team.
Reference: CDC – Heart Disease in Women (https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html)
