Heart Attack Risks and Women: What You Should Know
Life today is advancing in ways that, only a few years ago, would seem unreal. We carry advanced health tracking devices on our wrists, have incredibly powerful artificial intelligence literally at our fingertips, and the browsers on our smart phones deliver news of groundbreaking scientific progress every day.
Yet women are still more likely to be misdiagnosed, undertreated, or diagnosed late when it comes to their leading cause of death: heart disease. Even worse, most women are unaware of the risk.
As reported by the American Heart Association, “Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined and yet only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat.”1
The Silent Killer
Approximately 365,000 women each year will experience a heart attack.2 Yet even as our technology advances, it’s still known as a “silent killer,” reflecting how easily the symptoms can go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Unlike men, who often experience the hallmark crushing chest pain, women are more likely to have symptoms that are less obvious, such as fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, and pain in the jaw, arm, or back.3
These atypical symptoms are only part of the problem, however. The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease finds that, “many women downplay their symptoms, assuming they are not serious or fearing they will be seen as dramatic.”4 What’s more, “women under 55 were seven times more likely than men to be sent home from the emergency room without proper cardiac testing.”4
The American Heart Association also reports that “only 22% of primary care doctors and 42% of cardiologists said they feel extremely well prepared to assess cardiovascular risks in women,” even while “recent studies show women are more likely to die after having a heart attack.”5
A Change of Heart
The data is clear. To protect themselves against cardiovascular disease and heart attack, women must act as their own advocates. The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease encourages women not only to speak up and directly ask medical providers if their symptoms could be heart-related, but also to “request further testing, like an EKG, a troponin blood test, or a coronary angiogram. If testing is denied, you can ask for your request and the doctor’s response to be documented in your medical record.”4
In addition, every woman should become aware of the uniquely female symptoms of heart attack as well as her own risk factors. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes the following key cardiovascular risk factors in women:3
- High blood pressure
- High LDL cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Excess weight
- An unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Drinking too much alcohol
Review the CDC’s “About Women and Heart Disease” fact sheet to learn more.
When to Seek Emergency Care
If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. The longer your heart goes without blood flow, the greater the damage, so trust your instincts. Taking action could save your life.
Even in an age of leading-edge medicine and seemingly nonstop technological progress, many women are being left behind in the fight against cardiovascular disease—and paying for it with their lives. Your heart matters. Learn its language, listen closely, and never ignore its whispers.
Although the reality of heart disease in women may seem difficult to confront, becoming aware and being proactive now can have a positive impact on your health for many years to come.
That’s why Critical Illness Insurance through the AVMA LIFE Trust can be such a powerful tool in the face of life’s uncertainties. By helping to protect yourself and your loved ones financially, it can help give you the resources you need to focus on healing even in life’s toughest moments—and that’s a commitment you can take to heart.
To find out more about Critical Illness Insurance available through AVMA LIFE—including coverage, features, costs, eligibility, renewability, limitations, and exclusions—visit our website or give us a call at (800) 621-6360.
1“The Facts About Women and Heart Disease.” American Heart Association, n.d.
2“Heart Attack Fact Sheet.” Genentech, n.d.
3“About Women and Heart Disease.” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2024.
4“Ms. Diagnosed”: Why Women’s Heart Disease Symptoms Are Often Overlooked.” The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, n.d.
5“The Slowly Evolving Truth About Heart Disease and Women.” American Heart Association, February 2024.
Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10010 on group policy form GMR. Critical Illness Insurance is not available to residents of CA, CT, IN, MD, MN, MT, NH, NY, UT, VT, and WA.
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