Heart disease is a term used to refer to conditions that affect the heart. Heart disease is sometime used in place of the term cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD refers to all diseases of the heart and circulatory system. Some common CVDs include coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, congenital heart disease, and stroke. It is worth noting that while heart diseases are all CVDs, some CVDs are not heart diseases.

Heart disease is the cause of death for more than 55 New Zealand women every week. This means every year over 3,000 women die as a result of heart disease.² But despite this, many women are unaware of the risks of heart disease, and how it presents differently in women than in men.

This means women often miss the symptoms of a heart attack, as they don’t believe it could happen to them and don’t understand the gender related symptoms.

The cliché of an elderly man clutching his chest has created a false expectation of what a heart attack may look like, especially for women. While chest pain is the most common sign of a heart attack in both men and women, some women may not experience it. Heart attack symptoms in women can be different to men and may also be more subtle.

Instead of chest pain women may experience feelings of tightness, pressure, squeezing or heart burn in the chest area.

Women are also more likely to experience symptoms unrelated to chest pain such as:

• Discomfort or pain in the neck jaw or throat area.
• Pain or pressure in the back or upper abdomen.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea, vomiting, or indigestion.
• Light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Extreme or unusual fatigue.
• Excessive sweating, feeling cold or clammy.
• Sleep issues or disturbances.

The symptoms of a heart attack can vary for each person. It is important to seek medical help immediately if you are experiencing some of these symptoms and suspect a heart attack. Call 111 immediately.

It’s important to understand the risk factors of heart attacks, especially for women who may be less likely to notice the symptoms of heart attacks. The risk factors for heart disease include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• High cholesterol.
• Diabetes.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Inactive or sedentary lifestyle.
• Stress and depression.

Women also face risk factors related to reproductive health and pregnancy, this can include:  

• Menopause & post-menopause.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (e.g., pre-eclampsia).
• Cardiovascular conditions during pregnancy.

To reduce your risk of heart disease it is important to recognise risk factors and make lifestyle changes. This can include:

• Know and if necessary, control your blood pressure through lifestyle and medicine if required.
• If you have diabetes, manage your blood glucose correctly.
• Quit smoking, or vaping. Get support to quit smoking.
• Check your cholesterol. If your cholesterol is high, make changes to your diet and medicine if advised by your doctor.
• Eat a healthy diet, there are diets designed to support heart health.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Be physically active, even short activities more frequently is great!
• Try reduce stress by learning ways to effectively manage it.
• If you feel depressed seek help.