7 warning signs of heart disease in women that are easily overlooked

According to a study published in the journal Heart , there are still inequalities in the daily treatment of female patients with cardiovascular disease.

Many women die from heart disease in the UK because it is “underdiagnosed and undertreated”, experts say.

Cardiovascular disease studies have shown that, on average, men develop heart disease 10 years earlier than women. This is because the ovaries secrete the hormone estrogen, which helps protect women's bones and cardiovascular system.

In addition, compared to men, symptoms of cardiovascular disease in women are often unclear and less specific. This can easily lead to late detection and treatment of the disease in women.

According to Independent , below are 7 common cardiovascular symptoms in women:

Chest pain

According to Dr. Oliver Guttmann, a cardiologist at Wellington Hospital, UK, women often have more obvious chest pain than men.

"When stressed, many women feel chest tightness and often confuse it with palpitations. The discomfort can last for a few minutes and then go away, so it's easy to ignore," says Dr. Guttmann.

Chest pain is the most common symptom in people with heart disease, regardless of gender (Illustration: iStock)

Shortness of breath

Unusual shortness of breath, even during light activity or rest, is another sign of heart disease that needs attention.

According to Dr. Guttmann, people should note that this sign can appear without any chest discomfort. This can be a symptom of heart stress and requires immediate medical attention.

Unexplained fatigue

Persistent fatigue with no apparent cause lasting for days to weeks can be an early sign of a heart problem, doctors say.

Nausea or indigestion

Some women may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, or bloating. These symptoms can be misleading because they are often associated with stomach problems rather than heart problems.

According to Dr. Guttmann, women may mistake these signs for common digestive problems, leading to delays in examination and early detection of the disease.

Pain in unexpected places

Pain in the back, neck, jaw or stomach, especially if it comes on suddenly and has no cause, may be related to heart disease.

Sweat

"Unexplained sweating, especially if it occurs suddenly and is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath or nausea, can be a warning sign of heart disease.

"In middle-aged women, this symptom can be mistaken for hot flashes or other less worrisome problems," warns Dr. Guttmann.

Irregular heartbeat

An irregular heartbeat or a feeling of rapid heartbeat is a clear warning sign that something is wrong with your heart.

"A rapid heartbeat is one of the alarming symptoms that many women should not ignore. Especially if this symptom is accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath, women need to see a doctor immediately," said Dr. Guttmann.

Doctors emphasize that women need to see a doctor if they have one of the 7 unusual symptoms above. In addition, women also need to have regular check-ups to detect risk factors early and get treatment.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/7-dau-hieu-canh-bao-benh-tim-o-phu-nu-de-bi-bo-qua-20250524154511813.htm