Symptoms of heart disease in women: Beware of breathlessness, nausea, vomiting

Expert says that Women may have less obvious symptoms during a heart attack, whereas men frequently have the traditional signs of crushing chest pain. (Image: Canva)

Although heart disease is thought to affect mostly men, it is the biggest cause of mortality for women globally. On the other hand, women's heart disease symptoms and treatments can vary greatly from men's. Understanding these variations is essential since they affect diagnosis, course of therapy, and results. It is critical to acknowledge and treat the different physiological and hormonal aspects that impact women's heart health.

Different symptoms in women

The way symptoms of heart disease manifest in men and women is one of the most notable distinctions, says Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary, Clinical Director, Cardiology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram. The expert says that women may have less obvious symptoms during a heart attack, whereas men frequently have the traditional signs of crushing chest pain. Breathlessness, nausea, vomiting, jaw or back pain, and acute exhaustion are more common in women. Treatment and diagnosis delays may result from these unusual symptoms being ignored or misdiagnosed as other illnesses.

The role of hormones

Women's heart health is significantly influenced by hormones, especially oestrogen, says Dr Chaudhary. Oestrogen has a preventive role before menopause, supporting healthy cholesterol levels and blood vessel elasticity. The drop in oestrogen levels during menopause, however, raises the risk of heart disease. This hormonal change underscores the significance of regularly monitoring heart health before and after menopause since it contributes to the growth in heart disease cases among women as they age.

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Differences in heart disease types

Microvascular disease is a condition where the small arteries that feed blood to the heart are damaged. It is more common in women than in males, says Dr Chaudhary. In comparison, men are more likely to have blockages in the main coronary arteries. Chest pain associated with microvascular illness is frequently present but may not manifest on routine tests, complicating the diagnosis. In addition, women are more likely to suffer from disorders like broken heart syndrome, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, which is more common in women and is brought on by extreme emotional stress.

Treatment considerations

Women may also receive different treatment for heart disease. For instance, compared to men, women are less likely to undergo severe therapies like coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty. This could be brought on by variations in the intensity of the symptoms or the existence of additional medical disorders. Furthermore, women may react differently to some drugs, requiring a more customised course of care.