Heart disease signs in women are less recognized, an expert says

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women worldwide, but symptoms in women are often less typical and under-recognized, the article reports. The piece highlights risk factors such as PCOS, pregnancy complications and hormonal changes around menopause.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women globally, yet many signs in women go under-recognized and undertreated, nurse practitioner Rachel Oliver said. Wear Red Day in Canada on Feb. 13 draws attention to that gap. Oliver noted conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and hormonal changes during the perimenopausal transition as factors that raise cardiovascular risk. She added that social roles and health‑care interactions can contribute to symptoms being brushed off or missed. Key points: - The World Health Organization reports cardiovascular disease causes about one in three deaths among women worldwide. - The Heart and Stroke Foundation says women in Canada are less likely than men to receive timely diagnosis or treatment for heart disease and stroke. - Women’s symptoms can be less typical; besides chest discomfort, reports include left arm or jaw pain, severe fatigue, shoulder‑blade pain, nausea and vomiting, according to Oliver. - The University of Ottawa Heart Institute notes biological differences such as higher resting heart rates, smaller hearts and arteries, and different plaque behavior in women. - Oliver said risk rises notably between ages 40 and 60 as endogenous estrogen declines, and that conditions like spontaneous coronary artery dissection and microvascular dysfunction are more often seen in women. Summary: Health experts and organizations report that sex-specific symptoms, biological differences and social factors contribute to under-recognition and delays in diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women. Advocacy and education aimed at clinicians and the public are being highlighted as responses to these gaps. Undetermined at this time.