Article Summary
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women around the globe. From puberty to menopause, women experience hormonal changes that can increase their risk. Autoimmune disorders, which are twice as common in women than they are men, can also impact cardiovascular health.
There’s a common misconception that heart disease mostly affects men. While it is the leading cause of death for men, heart disease is also the number one killer of women worldwide, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. The disease is a woman’s greatest health threat — and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
These statistics are sobering, if not downright scary. That’s why it’s important for every woman to know about the risk factors to watch for.
Heart disease risk factors in women
Most heart disease risk factors are not separated by gender. Habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol heavily, eating poorly and not getting enough exercise can lead to heart disease in both men and women.
However, there are several heart disease risk factors that specifically impact women. Sarah Alexander, MD, a cardiologist at Endeavor Health outlines these heart disease risk factors and explains what you can do to safeguard your health:
- Early or late first period. A study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation found that women who had their first menstrual period before age 10 or after age 17 faced a higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke and hypertension later in life.
- What to do: Share your full menstrual history with your doctor so they can evaluate your lifelong cardiovascular risk early on and help you build a personalized prevention plan.
- What to do: Share your full menstrual history with your doctor so they can evaluate your lifelong cardiovascular risk early on and help you build a personalized prevention plan.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), affects up to 13% of women of reproductive age. PCOS causes a woman’s body to make higher levels of “male” hormones (androgens), which can raise a woman's risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart attack.
- What to do: Work with your doctor to regularly monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid levels. Managing PCOS with an anti-inflammatory diet, regular physical activity and routine health checkups can also help protect your heart.
- What to do: Work with your doctor to regularly monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid levels. Managing PCOS with an anti-inflammatory diet, regular physical activity and routine health checkups can also help protect your heart.
- Hormonal birth control. Some research suggests that certain hormonal contraceptives (containing estrogen and progestin) are linked to a slightly higher risk of ischemic stroke and heart attack, particularly if you have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, a smoking history or obesity.
- What to do: Talk with your doctor when selecting a contraceptive method. If you use combination hormonal birth control, have your blood pressure checked regularly and ask your doctor about lifestyle habits to minimize your overall heart disease risk.
- What to do: Talk with your doctor when selecting a contraceptive method. If you use combination hormonal birth control, have your blood pressure checked regularly and ask your doctor about lifestyle habits to minimize your overall heart disease risk.
- Complications during pregnancy. Even without pre-existing heart problems, some women may develop heart issues during or after pregnancy, such as an irregular heartbeat, deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs), or a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). Also, high blood pressure or gestational diabetes during pregnancy can increase risk of heart disease later in life.
- What to do: During pregnancy, never ignore unusual symptoms like extreme fatigue, dizziness, passing out, chest pain, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. If you have previously been pregnant, let your doctor know if you experienced preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, as these require long-term health monitoring.
- What to do: During pregnancy, never ignore unusual symptoms like extreme fatigue, dizziness, passing out, chest pain, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. If you have previously been pregnant, let your doctor know if you experienced preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, as these require long-term health monitoring.
- High blood pressure. It's no secret that high blood pressure is a major heart disease risk factor for both men and women. But according to the CDC, high blood pressure is often underdiagnosed in women, and less than 1 in 4 women with high blood pressure actually have their condition under control. The CDC also says smoking and diabetes are both greater heart disease factors for women than they are for men.
- What to do: Schedule annual blood pressure checks and keep a log at home if your readings trend high. Focus on lifestyle strategies like lowering sodium intake, staying physically active and managing coexisting conditions like diabetes.
- What to do: Schedule annual blood pressure checks and keep a log at home if your readings trend high. Focus on lifestyle strategies like lowering sodium intake, staying physically active and managing coexisting conditions like diabetes.
- Autoimmune diseases. Research suggests a connection between autoimmune disorders and heart disease risk. Meanwhile, experts say women are twice as likely as men to develop an autoimmune condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease or celiac disease.
- What to do: Partner closely with your doctor if you have an autoimmune condition. Ask about proactive heart health screenings, including lipid panel evaluations and heart scans.
- What to do: Partner closely with your doctor if you have an autoimmune condition. Ask about proactive heart health screenings, including lipid panel evaluations and heart scans.
- Early menopause. According to research highlighted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, women who experience early menopause (before age 45) face a higher risk of developing cardiovascular issues later in life compared to those who start menopause closer to age 50. The decline in natural estrogen levels removes a protective barrier for heart health.
- What to do: Speak with your doctor about how to protect your heart health through menopause, especially if it occurs before age 45. Focus on heart-healthy habits, including regular aerobic exercise, a Mediterranean-style diet and maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
“Starting in early adulthood, it’s important for women to prioritize their heart health. This includes regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks, as well as discussing your health history, personal cardiovascular disease risk factors and family history with your doctor,” said Dr. Alexander.
Partnering with your doctor, managing underlying conditions, and adopting heart-healthy habits is the best way to protect your heart for life.
A heart scan is the safest and most accurate screening tool for detecting the early build-up of calcium in the coronary arteries, the most common cause of heart disease. Schedule a heart scan
FAQs
Yes, women often experience different and more subtle heart attack symptoms than men. Women are far more likely to experience "atypical" warning signs, including unexplained shortness of breath, sudden extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness, throat tightness, arm pressure/pain and chest pain radiating to the jaw, neck, back or upper stomach. Because these symptoms are easily mistaken for acid reflux, the flu or stress, women often delay seeking emergency care.
The American Heart Association recommends that women have their blood pressure checked at least once a year and their cholesterol profile screened every four to six years starting at age 20. If you have risk factors like gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, PCOS (PMOS) or early menopause, your doctor may recommend earlier and more frequent monitoring.
While past complications cannot be "undone," adopting heart-healthy habits can significantly lower your future risk. A history of pregnancy-related high blood pressure or gestational diabetes acts as an early warning sign, not a guarantee of disease.
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