Women & Heart Disease
Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute

Every year since 1984, more women than men have died of cardiovascular disease.

Consider these unsettling facts:

• Heart disease kills more American women than any other disease, more than the next 16 causes of death combined and twice as many as all forms of cancer.
• 63% of women who died suddenly of heart disease experienced no previous symptoms.
• 38% of women will die within one year after having an initial heart attack.
• Heart disease rates in women after menopause are 2-3 times those of women the same age before menopause.
• It is the leading cause of death, accounting for 43.3% of all female deaths.
• Coronary risk factors - like obesity, diabetes and hypertension - are on the rise among women.

Are the warning signs of a heart attack different for men than for women?

It is important to know that women can present with different signs and symptoms for a heart attack. Of the following symptoms, the ones with an asterisk (*) are more common in women than men.

1. Chest discomfort, pressure or burning
2. Chest or abdominal discomfort or pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, arm, or jaw
3. Discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades*
4. Shortness of breath*
5. Sweating
6. Nausea or vomiting*
7. Indigestion or gas-like pain*
8. Dizziness or fainting
9. Unexplained weakness or fatigue
10. Sense of impending doom

Is heart disease diagnosed differently in women than in men?

No, the same tests are performed regardless of gender. Read more about Acute Myocardinal Infarction.

How can women prevent heart disease?

Start by asking your doctor these 8 critical questions:

1. What screening or diagnostic tests for heart disease do I need?
2. What in my personal family health history puts me at risk?
3. What are my numbers and what do they mean?
   • Blood pressure
   • Cholesterol
     • Total cholesterol
     • LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
     • HDL (“good”) cholesterol
     • Triglycerides
   • Body mass index and waist circumference measurements
   • Blood sugar level (could indicate risk for diabetes)
4. If I smoke, what is the best way for me to quit?
5. How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
6. What is a heart-healthy eating plan for me?
7. What are the warning signs of heart disease or a heart attack?
8. If I experience signs or symptoms of a heart attack, what steps do I need to take?

Read more about Prevention and Risks