Women & Heart Health — Why Their Symptoms Are Different (and Often Missed)
Heart disease is often thought of as a “man’s problem.” But globally, and especially in India, more women die from heart disease than from any other condition — including cancer. Despite this, heart health in women remains one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed issues in Indian healthcare.
One major reason? Women often experience different symptoms than men, leading to late detection and dangerous outcomes.
The Gender Gap in Diagnosis
Most heart attack campaigns, films, and even medical training focus on the classic “male” symptoms — crushing chest pain, left arm pain, and collapse.
But women may experience much softer, atypical, or silent symptoms, including:
- Unexplained fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or light-headedness
- Back, jaw, or neck pain
- Anxiety or a feeling of “something wrong”
Many of these are easily mistaken for acidity, stress, or hormonal changes, especially in women aged 40 and above.
Why Are Women Diagnosed Late?
There are three key reasons:
- Lack of awareness — Both women and healthcare providers often don’t associate these symptoms with heart issues.
- Social conditioning — Women are taught to tolerate discomfort, prioritize others, and ignore “minor” pains.
- Hormonal masking — Estrogen offers some early protection, delaying noticeable symptoms until after menopause, when the risk spikes dramatically.
Real Stories, Real Delays
In India, it’s common for a woman to visit a doctor days or even weeks after a heart event begins. One study found that Indian women often reach hospitals later than men when experiencing cardiac distress — sometimes too late for effective intervention.
Unique Risk Factors for Women
While the general risk factors like smoking, obesity, high BP, and cholesterol apply to both genders, some women-specific risks include:
- Pregnancy complications (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes)
- Early menopause
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Autoimmune disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
These increase the lifetime risk of heart disease, yet few Indian women are ever told this during regular health checkups.
What Every Indian Woman Should Know
- Know your symptoms — Chest pain is just one sign. Breathlessness, unusual fatigue, or back pain could be warning flags.
- Track your numbers — Get your BP, sugar, cholesterol, and thyroid checked regularly.
- Stay active — A 30-minute daily walk can reduce heart disease risk by up to 35 percent.
- Manage stress — Work-life imbalance, caregiving, and emotional burnout all harm your heart.
- Take symptoms seriously — If something feels “off,” don’t dismiss it. Get tested.
When to See a Doctor
If you are a woman over 35 and experience any of the following:
- Shortness of breath with normal activity
- Nausea, dizziness, or jaw pain with fatigue
- Sleep disturbances or palpitations
- Recurring episodes of chest heaviness or tightness
Ask your doctor for a heart screening, not just a general health check.
An ECG, ECHO, and lipid profile can catch issues before they escalate.
A Healthier Future Begins with Awareness
Women in India take care of everyone — their children, partners, in-laws, careers — but often neglect themselves. Heart disease does not discriminate, and ignoring early symptoms comes at a deadly cost.
Change starts with knowledge. And the right time to act is now.
Heartbeat Foundation encourages all women to schedule regular heart checkups, understand their risks, and never dismiss unusual symptoms.
Because every heart matters — especially hers.
