Heart Disease In Women: Why Women Are At Higher Risk Than Men - Cardiologist Shares Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Heart Disease in Women: Why the risk is higher than in men? Dr. Himanshu Gupta, Consultant - Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, shares the top 7 silent symptoms women should never ignore before it's too late.

Heart disease is often perceived as a predominantly male problem. Yet, the reality is starkly different. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, surpassing even all forms of cancer. Despite the growing awareness, heart disease in women remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and often misinterpreted. Understanding the unique risks, symptoms, and challenges women face can play a crucial role in prevention and timely treatment.

In an exclusive interaction with TheHealthSite.com, Dr. Himanshu Gupta, Consultant - Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, said, "Previously, it was thought that heart disease primarily affects men. But now, we know better. This assumption has quietly aged out, and what has replaced it is far more alarming: heart disease is the leading cause of death among Indian women today. Even more worrying is how quietly it creeps in, often going unnoticed until it's too late".

Various studies showed that over 40% of deaths among women in India are now linked to cardiovascular disease. Even more striking is the fact that Indian women are having heart attacks almost ten years earlier than women in the West.

The Hidden Face of Heart Disease in Women

Heart conditions don't always show up in women the way they do in men. For instance, while men usually complain about stabbing chest pain, women experience severe fatigue, shortness of breath, light-headedness, or back and jaw pain. These symptoms are too easy to dismiss or are often misunderstood for stress or indigestion, leading to ignored warning signs or not being taken seriously. Consequently, diagnosis tends to get delayed.

Why are Women at Greater Risk?

There's no single reason for it as it is a mix of factors, some biological, others tied to lifestyle:

1. After menopause, oestrogen levels drop, removing a natural shield that protects the heart. So, after menopause risk of CAD in females is 10 times higher than that of males.
2. Pregnancy-related conditions like gestational diabetes or hypertension can quietly raise long-term cardiac risk.
3. PCOS (which is far more common than people think) often causes weight gain and insulin resistance, both red flags for heart health.
4. Autoimmune diseases, which affect women more than men, add to the inflammation burden on the body.
5. And finally, emotional stress, which is deeply tied to the heart, as it tends to go unnoticed or untreated in women.
6. Added to that is the tendency to put everyone else's needs first, and many women unintentionally ignore their own unwellness.

What are the possible preventive measures for Women to stay safe?

Taking care of your heart begins with just being coordinated with your body. If you're finding yourself excessively fatigued, winded from minimal exertion, or simply feeling "off," don't dismiss it as these could be early warning signs that something is not going right. Monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight regularly. These numbers aren't just routine, but they are the quiet signals about your heart's wellbeing.

Get moving as you don't need a fancy gym routine; even a quick daily walk helps. Eat more whole grain foods, cut down on processed goods, and learn ways to handle stress, either through writing, stretching, talking it out, or just breathing. Skip tobacco and don't second-guess seeking medical help if something feels off.

Heart disease in women doesn't always make noise. That is what makes awareness so important. Every woman, no matter her age, background, or lifestyle, needs to be informed, taken seriously, and cared for.

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