Heart disease is often thought of as a man’s problem, yet it remains the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Despite this reality, heart attacks in women are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked. The reason lies in the way symptoms present themselves: women often experience atypical signs that don’t fit the classic picture of sudden, crushing chest pain.
Men are more likely to report the textbook symptom of intense chest pressure radiating to the arm. Women, however, may experience subtler, diffuse signs such as:
According to Dr. Dhall, there are several factors that contribute to this dangerous gap:
Women often minimize their discomfort, attributing it to stress or daily exhaustion.
Clinicians may be less likely to suspect heart disease in women, especially younger women, leading to delays in diagnosis.
Women are more prone to “silent” heart attacks, where symptoms are mild or absent, making detection even harder.
Do not take dizziness or unusual fatigue lightly
Female biology introduces unique vulnerabilities. Hormonal changes after menopause, pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can increase cardiovascular risk. “When combined with lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, unmanaged diabetes, or high blood pressure, the likelihood of heart disease rises sharply,” said Dr. Dhall.
Dr. Dhall says time is extremely critical in heart attack treatment. Women often arrive at hospitals later than men because they don’t recognize their symptoms as cardiac. This delay reduces the effectiveness of lifesaving interventions such as clot-busting drugs or stents. “Consequently, women are more likely to suffer complications and have poorer outcomes after a heart attack,” he said.
Also read:Dramatic ICU CPR Video of 30-Minute Revival Sparks Cardiac Arrest Survival Debate
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
