Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the UK. It’s the main cause of heart attacks, which kill more women than breast cancer each year.
However, academics contributing to the scientific journal Heart have warned that women are dying unnecessarily from heart disease in the UK because they are “under-diagnosed and under-treated”.
The Independent reports that the academics have stated that when it comes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are “sex disparities in everyday care of patients”, despite it being the “number-one killer for women”.
They go on to explain that there is a misconception that CVD is a “man’s disease’ which has contributed to its under-recognition and under-treatment in women.
Sympoms of heart disease manifest themselves differently in women compared to men, so it’s very important to be aware of the key signs to look out for.
Palpitations
If you feel like your heartbeat is irregular, “pounding” or you regularly feel like you have a “racing heart” then this could mean something is wrong. You may feel palpitations in your chest, throat or neck.
Sweating
Heart disease can cause arteries to become clogged. When this happened, your heart has to work harder to keep the blood flowing and so your body ends up sweating to keep your overall temperature down. Night sweats are a common symptom in women who are having heart problems; unfortunately the symptom is sometimes mistaken as a sign of menopause.
Pain in unexpected areas
Pain from heart disease can radiate from the chest to the jaw, teeth, back, neck or stomach.
Nausea or indigestion
“With heart failure, you may experience a loss or change in appetite, or feelings of nausea,” explain US charity Heart Failure Matters. “Some people have a feeling of being full or nauseous even if they have eaten very little. They may also experience abdominal pain or tenderness.”
Unexplained fatigue
The NHS website says: “You may feel tired most of the time and find exercise exhausting.” Dr Chinelo Ojukwu, GP at Pall Mall, told The Independent: “Feeling unusually breathless during light activities or even while at rest is a potential red flag.”
Shortness of breath
Breathlessness is a common symptom. The NHS explain that “it may occur after activity or at rest; it may be worse when you’re lying down, and you may wake up at night needing to catch your breath.”
Chest discomfort
When it comes to heart disease, “Women often report a sensation of discomfort rather than outright pain,” Dr Oliver Guttmann, consultant cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, told The Independent. “This may feel like pressure, tightness, or a squeezing sensation in the chest, which can be mistaken for indigestion or anxiety.
“The discomfort may last for several minutes, or come and go.”
If you’re concerned about heart failure, want more information or are currently living with heart failure, the British Heart Foundation have a huge array of useful information, guides and advice available on their website.
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