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Heart diseases in women Symptoms, Risks and Management
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Home >> Blogs >> Heart diseases in women Symptoms, Risks and Management

Heart diseases in women Symptoms, Risks and Management


The increasing incidence of heart disease has become a grave concern nowadays, especially with cardiovascular diseases being ranked among the leading cause of mortality worldwide. These can affect anyone, irrespective of age or gender, however, women may be affected by it in a different manner as compared to men, primarily due to the anatomic and hormonal differences. In this blog, we have elaborated on the topic in detail with the help of  best Cardiologist in Gurgaon. 

How the Cardiovascular system of Females differs from that of males?
Many people may find it surprising, but there are some noteworthy differences between male and female cardiovascular systems and it is because of these, that the presentation of heart diseases in women is different from those experienced by men. Some major differences, listed by the best Cardiologist in Gurgaon, include:

  • Anatomy - Although the anatomical differences between the male and female hearts are relatively minor, these cannot be completely ignored. If we speak of size, the heart of a female is usually smaller than that of a male. Women tend to have smaller blood vessels, thinner ventricular walls and smaller heart chambers. The shape of the heart is also a little more rounded, whereas, in males, it is a bit elongated. 
  • Blood count - Women tend to have a lower blood count as compared to men, which is believed to be due to the difference in their hormonal levels, as well as their physiological variations. A healthy male is likely to have a haemoglobin level of 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL, whereas, in women, it ranges between 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL
  • Hormonal differences - Women tend to have higher estrogen and progesterone levels whereas men have increased testosterone levels. Estrogen is known to promote cardiovascular health in females by supporting healthy HDL levels. After menopause, estrogen levels diminish, making their hearts vulnerable to various diseases and ailments. 


Onset of symptoms 
The onset of symptoms is generally late in women and it has been seen that they may start experiencing the symptoms about 10 years later as compared to men. It is due to this reason that women are usually diagnosed late when the problem has progressed.
 
Women may not necessarily experience the classic symptoms and can present with a different set of symptoms along with the classic ones. For instance, if a man is having a heart attack, he may experience chest discomfort that radiates towards the arm, neck, shoulder and jaw, along with accelerated heart rate and dizziness. A woman is more likely to experience symptoms like nausea, sweating, and pain in the neck, abdomen & back. 

Historically, heart diseases used to be more prominent in men and there was a time when these were primarily associated with males. As a result of this, women started to underestimate the impact of the same on their own health and this also led to the lack of awareness among the female masses. 

Managing the risks of heart disease in women

  • The first and most important step is to raise awareness. This can be done by encouraging women to learn about their heart health and how they can keep their hearts healthy. You can read about it online, and join live sessions conducted by the best cardiology hospital in Gurgaon
  • Promoting a healthy and balanced diet that satisfies your nutritional needs. Consumption of saturated and trans fats should be cut down. Sodium and sugar intake should also be reduced.
  • You need to stay physically active to promote healthy cardiovascular health. You can opt for yoga and go out for walks.
  • Prioritize going for regular heart check-ups. This is one of the best things that you can do to keep off the risks of serious heart complications. 
  • Keep your weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and blood sugar levels under control


To know more, you can consult the experts from the best cardiology hospital in Gurgaon, today.

Dr. D.K. Jhamb, Director & Head of the Department

Interventional Cardiology

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