By Evans Matthews
For decades, the world associated heart disease with men – middle-aged executives gripping their chests in dramatic movie scenes. But the reality is far more complex, and far more alarming. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of women globally, claiming more lives than breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer combined.
Yet despite this staggering truth, millions of women remain unaware of the risks.
“Heart disease in women is often under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated,” says Dr. Aisha Salim, a cardiologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. “Women present differently from men, so their symptoms are frequently dismissed as stress, anxiety, or indigestion.”
A Hidden Epidemic
While chest pain is a classic sign of a heart attack, many women experience atypical symptoms such as:
· Fatigue that feels extreme
· Shortness of breath
· Nausea or vomiting
· Pain in the jaw, back, or upper abdomen
· Dizziness or light-headedness
· Unexplained anxiety
These silent symptoms often delay women from seeking help until the damage is severe.
A study by the American Heart Association found that one in three women who experience a heart attack never feel chest pain at all.
“I had no chest pain,” recalls 40-year-old Omolola Ayeni from Abuja, who survived a heart attack in 2023. “I was just extremely tired, sweating, and felt like I couldn’t breathe. I thought it was stress from work. I didn’t know my heart was shutting down.”
Why Women Are at Higher Risk
Cardiovascular disease affects both men and women, but women face unique biological and social risk factors.
1. Hormonal Changes
Before menopause, estrogen helps protect the heart. After menopause, the sudden drop in estrogen increases cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and plaque buildup in arteries.
2. Pregnancy-Related Conditions
Complications such as:
· Preeclampsia
· Gestational diabetes
· High blood pressure in pregnancy
…significantly raise a woman’s lifetime risk of heart disease.
3. Autoimmune Diseases
Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis – more common in women, are linked to higher heart disease rates due to chronic inflammation.
4. Stress and Emotional Burden
Women often shoulder the emotional weight of family responsibilities, workplace pressure, and societal expectations. Chronic stress triggers inflammation and hormonal imbalance that weaken the heart over time.
5. Misdiagnosis and Gender Bias
Many healthcare systems still use male-centered diagnostic standards. As a result, women are less likely to receive appropriate tests, timely interventions, and life-saving treatments.
Lifestyle Risks That Hit Women Harder
Factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, and poor diet affect both genders. But women tend to experience stronger negative effects from:
· Smoking (women are 25% more likely to develop heart disease from smoking than men)
· Diabetes (triples heart disease risk in women)
· High blood pressure (more deadly for women over 55)
“Women’s bodies respond differently,” says Dr. Salim. “A small change in blood pressure can have a big impact.”
Prevention: Protecting the Heart
The good news? Up to 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable with lifestyle and medical interventions.
Practical steps for women include:
· Regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks
· Maintaining a healthy weight
· Reducing salt and sugar intake
· Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
· Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly
· Managing stress through rest, therapy, or mindfulness
· Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol
Women with pregnancy-related complications should have annual heart evaluations.
The Global Call to Action
Countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK are making strong progress with public awareness campaigns. But in many African and Asian nations, limited access to specialized care means women are at even greater risk.
“We must break the myth that heart disease is a man’s problem,” emphasizes Dr. Salim “Every woman deserves to know her risk and protect her heart.”
A Future of Awareness and Prevention
Cardiovascular disease in women is not just a medical issue, it is a global public health priority. With better education, gender-sensitive diagnostics, and accessible care, millions of women’s lives can be saved.
As survivor Omolola Ayeni says, “Knowing the signs saved my life. If more women knew the truth about heart disease, fewer of us would suffer in silence.”
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