Women & Heart Disease: A Critical Conversation

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women—more than all cancers combined. Despite this, it is often thought of as a "man’s disease," leading to misdiagnosis and under-treatment in women.

Traditional testing and diagnosis strategies were designed with men in mind. Men typically develop blockages in one area of an artery, making their heart disease easier to detect.

However, women often experience diffuse disease throughout the arteries or within the microvasculature, which is harder to identify with standard tests. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed, with their symptoms often attributed to gastrointestinal issues or anxiety.

Click to Jump Ahead:

• The Gender Bias in Diagnosis & Treatment
• Recognizing Symptoms: The Female Perspective
• Medical Gaslighting & Advocacy
• Understanding & Preventing Heart Disease

The Gender Bias in Diagnosis & Treatment

Research has shown clear gender disparities in heart disease treatment:

• Women with symptoms of heart disease are less likely to receive exercise ECG tests or coronary angiograms.
• Women diagnosed with heart disease are less likely to be prescribed antiplatelet therapy, statins, or preventive medications.
• Women with confirmed coronary disease are twice as likely to suffer death or a nonfatal heart attack within a year compared to men.

Recognizing Symptoms: The Female Perspective

Many people associate heart attacks with the "elephant on the chest" sensation that men typically experience. However, women’s symptoms are often different and more subtle, making them easier to dismiss.

Common Symptoms in Women:

✔️ Chest pain (most common)
✔️ Shortness of breath
✔️ Jaw, back, or neck pain
✔️ Dizziness or nausea
✔️ Flu-like symptoms
✔️ Sleep disturbances

💡 A Sign to Take Seriously: If everyday activities—like climbing stairs or carrying groceries—suddenly feel harder, ask yourself: Is it my heart? Don’t ignore the signs.

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Medical Gaslighting & Advocacy

Women often face medical gaslighting when it comes to cardiovascular symptoms. Doctors may downplay, misinterpret, or dismiss symptoms, leading to dangerous delays in treatment.

💪 Trust yourself. You know your body better than anyone else. If something feels wrong, advocate for yourself. If you struggle to do so, bring a friend, partner, or family member to help you demand the care you deserve.

Why Awareness is Declining

The 2019 National AHA Survey on Women’s Cardiovascular Disease Awareness revealed that despite ongoing awareness campaigns, knowledge of heart disease as the leading cause of death among women decreased by 21% from 2009 to 2019.

Additionally, only 13% of women recognize heart disease as a personal health risk. Many still believe breast cancer is their primary health threat, despite the fact that heart disease kills far more women each year.

Your Heart is Your Life Story

Every decision you make—what you eat, how active you are, how well you sleep, and how you handle stress—shapes your heart health.

We don’t wake up one day with heart disease—it accumulates silently over time. Early prevention and daily awareness are key. Imagine if we reframed our mindset to protect our hearts in everyday decisions:

💭 "I don’t need daily bacon because my heart matters."
💭 "I will get to the gym and meet a friend for dinner—because my heart needs it."
💭 "I will prioritize my stress management because my heart health depends on it."

Understanding & Preventing Heart Disease

Heart disease includes a variety of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Instead of waiting for a heart attack to signal a problem, we need to shift our mindset to prevention.

Key Risk Factors for Women:

• Insulin resistance & metabolic health
• High blood pressure & cholesterol
• Depression, stress, PTSD
• Menopause-related hormonal shifts

80% of heart disease is preventable with lifestyle changes, early detection, and proactive care.

Empower Your Menopause Journey!

Check out these additional heart health resources!

1. Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum's Heart Book: Every Woman's Guide to a Heart-Healthy Life
2. Watch on YouTube: Heart Health & Menopause