ken@oneheartnetwork.com
Women’s Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and can affect women at any age. In 2020, it was responsible for the deaths of 314,186 women—or about 1 in every 5 female deaths.
Research has shown that only about half (56%) of US women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer.
Common Types of Heart Disease in Women
Coronary artery disease: The most common heart disease and the leading cause of death for women is caused by plaque in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to your heart and other parts of your body. After menopause, women are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease because of hormonal changes.
Arrhythmia: This condition is when your heart beats too slowly, too fast, or in an irregular way. A common example is atrial fibrillation.
Heart failure: Heart failure is when your heart is too weak to pump enough blood to support other organs in your body. This condition is serious, but it doesn’t mean your heart has stopped beating.
Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women
Although some women have no symptoms, others may have:
- Angina—usually felt as a dull or heavy chest discomfort or ache.
- Pain in the neck, jaw, or throat
- Pain in the upper abdomen or back
These symptoms may happen when you’re resting or active. Women also may have other symptoms, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness that won’t go away or feels excessive
When Should You Call 911?
In some women, the first signs and symptoms of heart disease can be:
- Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath
- Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations)
- Shortness of breath, sudden fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t delay. Call 911 right away.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. More than 56 million women in the United States (44.3%) have high blood pressure (defined as 130/80 mm Hg or higher) or are taking blood pressure medicine. This includes almost 1 in 5 women of reproductive age.
- Having high blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke and can lead to early death.
- High blood pressure is often underdiagnosed in women, and fewer than 1 in 4 women with high blood pressure (23.3%) have their condition under control.
- Black women are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than White women.
- Pregnant women with high blood pressure have twice the risk of developing heart disease later in life compared to pregnant women without this condition. In the United States, high blood pressure develops in 1 in every 8 (13.0%) pregnancies.
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can put women at higher risk of heart disease, including:
- High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Excess weight
- An unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress and depression
Women also face specific factors related to reproductive health and pregnancy, including:
- Early first period (before age 11)
- Early menopause (before age 40)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Preterm delivery
- Delivery of a low birth weight or high birth weight infant
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Cardiovascular conditions during pregnancy can also increase a woman’s risk of heart disease and pregnancy-related complications
Add your journey to our stories of survival!
If you would like your story to be considered for our stories of survival, please send us your name, a photo, and the story of your patient or caregiver journey. This may include warning signs, your/your loved one’s event, what you experienced at the doctor’s office or hospital, how you felt then and how you feel now, what has helped you, etc. Stories should be around 300-500 words and may not include medical advice, names of any health care professionals, or names of hospitals/medical centers. We’d love to get to know you better, so please send us your first person account of your heart, stroke, or caregiver story!
Ready to take a Heartsaver First Aid Course?
The AHA offers options for how you can purchase Heartsaver First Aid. You can take a full classroom course, take a blended learning course (Heartsaver First Aid + a hands-on skills session training), or purchase additional course materials. Choose from the options below.
Course Completion Card
Upon completion of all course requirements, participants receive a Heartsaver First Aid Course Completion Card which is valid for two years.
Continuing Education Credits
Depending on which Heartsaver First Aid course option you choose, CE/CME may be available for your profession.