Heart disease in women remains the number one cause of death in the United States. However, it often goes unrecognized, underdiagnosed, and underrepresented, particularly when compared to the widespread awareness surrounding breast cancer. Cardiovascular disease prevention is crucial, as women face unique challenges that make early detection difficult. In this article, we will explore how heart disease affects women, the types of heart disease they face, and how proactive strategies can help bridge the care gap. Learn more about heart disease here.
How Does Heart Disease Affect Women?
Heart disease manifests differently in women than in men. While many people associate heart disease with chest pain, women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms that can lead to a delay in diagnosis. These symptoms can include nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue, which are often attributed to stress or anxiety, rather than a heart attack. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that 1 in 3 women will die from cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet many women remain undiagnosed until the disease is advanced American Heart Association, 2024.
What Types of Heart Disease Do Women Get?
Women can experience several types of heart disease, including:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): The most common form of heart disease, where the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked.
- Heart Failure: The heart becomes too weak to pump blood efficiently, which can lead to fluid buildup and difficulty breathing.
- Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation, which is more common in women than men.
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Women may experience heart attacks differently than men, with higher rates of fatal heart attacks within a year of occurrence National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), 2024.
Heart Disease Symptoms in Women
Women’s heart disease symptoms are often different from those typically seen in men. Common symptoms include:
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Fatigue or extreme tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Pain in the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Nausea or indigestion
These symptoms can often be confused with other conditions, making it crucial for women to pay attention to unusual changes in their body and seek prompt medical attention if they experience these signs American Heart Association, 2024.
Key Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women: Who’s Most at Risk?
While all women are at risk for heart disease, certain factors can significantly increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular conditions:
- Age: The risk of heart disease increases with age, particularly after menopause, due to hormonal changes that affect heart health.
- Family History: Genetics plays a crucial role in predisposing women to cardiovascular disease. A family history of heart disease can greatly elevate a woman’s risk, especially if close relatives have been affected.
- Underlying Conditions: Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are significant contributors to the development of heart disease.
- Hormonal Changes: Estrogen helps maintain blood vessel flexibility, but as levels decrease during menopause, women become more susceptible to conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, raising the risk of heart disease.
- Pregnancy-related Risks: Pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and gestational diabetes (diabetes developed during pregnancy) are linked to a heightened risk of heart disease later in life. Women with these conditions should be closely monitored for cardiovascular risk factors post-pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends early interventions, including lifestyle changes, to lower future heart disease risks (ACOG, 2024).
- Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy habits such as smoking, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
By understanding and addressing these risk factors, women can take proactive steps—such as adopting lifestyle modifications and seeking early interventions—to better manage their heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease in the future.
Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
Preventing heart disease involves addressing lifestyle factors and monitoring underlying health conditions. Some key preventive steps include:
- Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Following a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Stay Physically Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week to improve heart health and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress contributes to heart disease risk. Techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation exercises can be beneficial.
- Regular Health Checkups: Regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can help identify risk factors early PharmD Live Internal Data.
Cardiovascular Disease Management
Effective management of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in women requires a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgical interventions. Clinics can enhance care between doctor visits by implementing strategies like Chronic Care Management (CCM), Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), and Medication Therapy Management (MTM) programs.
These approaches focus on medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and ongoing education to optimize health outcomes. Personalized medication regimens, remote monitoring, and MTM programs empower women to manage their CVD effectively at home, improving adherence and reducing the risk of complications. By engaging patients in their care, clinics can improve long-term heart health and reduce hospital readmissions.
PharmD Live’s Role in Women’s Cardiovascular Care
PharmD Live supports women’s cardiovascular care by offering Medication Therapy Management (MTM), which helps ensure proper medication adherence. With tailored solutions for women, PharmD Live has seen a 25% improvement in medication adherence among women in our programs, contributing to better heart health outcomes.
For more details on how PharmD Live can assist with heart disease prevention strategies, visit our Solutions page or contact us directly.
Empowering Women to Take Control of Their Heart Health
The silent epidemic of heart disease in women must be addressed head-on. By understanding the unique risks women face, recognizing the symptoms early, and ensuring access to tailored treatments, we can reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease. PharmD Live’s personalized care model is helping to shift the landscape of heart health by focusing on the specific needs of women, optimizing medication regimens, and improving lifestyle habits.
Healthcare organizations must integrate gender-specific protocols and ensure that women’s cardiovascular health is prioritized. Together, we can close the gap and empower women to live healthier, longer lives.
References:
- American Heart Association (AHA). “Heart Disease in Women.” https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/risk-factors-for-heart-disease
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). “Women and Heart Disease.” https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-disease
- The Lancet. “Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Disease Treatment.” https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-6065(21)00200-5/fulltext
- PharmD Live Internal Data. “Cardiovascular Health in Women.”
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). “Cardiovascular Disease in Pregnancy.” https://www.acog.org
