Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women, yet many fail to recognize the warning signs until it is too late.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, accounts for 35% of all female deaths in the United States in 2025.
Here in this blog, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and essential steps to prevent and manage heart attack in women.
Why Heart Attacks Show Up Differently in Women
Heart attacks in women often present with subtle symptoms, making them harder to recognize and diagnose. Unlike the classic chest pain commonly associated with heart attacks, women may experience fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or upper back.
Hormonal differences, smaller blood vessels, and conditions like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) contribute to these variations. Many cases are misdiagnosed or ignored, leading to delayed treatment. Raising awareness about these unique signs and prioritizing cardiovascular health screening can help women detect heart issues early and seek timely medical intervention.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Heart Conditions in Women
Understanding the early warning signs of heart disease is essential for timely medical intervention. Many women experience symptoms that differ from traditional heart attack signs, making it more difficult to recognize potential cardiovascular issues. Below are key indicators that should not be ignored.
1. Heart Failure Symptoms in Women
Heart failure occurs when the heart struggles to pump blood efficiently, leading to widespread health complications. Women often report persistent fatigue, swelling in the legs, and shortness of breath. Fluid retention in the body causes swelling, while decreased circulation leads to difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity.
2. Myocardial Infarction Symptoms Female
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, does not always present as sudden chest pain. Women may instead experience nausea, dizziness, unexplained fatigue, and discomfort in the jaw or upper back. These subtle symptoms can cause delays in seeking medical help, increasing the risk of severe damage.
3. SCAD Heart Symptoms
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an emergency condition where a tear occurs in the artery wall, blocking blood flow to the heart. It often affects younger women and may cause sudden chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and fainting. SCAD is frequently misdiagnosed, making awareness and early recognition critical.
4. Angina in Women
Angina is often dismissed as simple chest discomfort, but it is a sign that the heart is struggling to receive enough oxygen. Women may experience pressure, tightness, or burning in the chest that worsens with physical exertion or stress. Unlike heart attacks, angina symptoms can come and go but still require medical attention.
5. Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms in Females
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump efficiently, leading to fluid retention, breathing difficulties, and rapid weight gain. Women with this condition may feel bloated or have trouble performing daily activities due to extreme fatigue. Swelling in the abdomen or legs, along with shortness of breath, can indicate worsening heart function.
Diagnostic Tests for Heart Health
Identifying heart-related issues early is crucial for preventing severe complications. Various tests provide insight into heart health and detect potential problems before symptoms worsen.
Routine heart health checkup appointments integrate these tests, allowing doctors to detect problems early and tailor preventive strategies accordingly. Regular screening and proactive management significantly improve long-term heart health, helping individuals make informed lifestyle decisions and reduce their risk of serious cardiac events.
- Blood Chemistry Panel: Assesses overall health and identifies imbalances affecting cardiovascular function.
- High Sensitivity CRP Test: Measures inflammation levels, helping predict heart disease risk.
- Troponin Test for Heart Attack: Detects heart muscle damage following a cardiac event, aiding in accurate diagnosis.
- Lipid Panel: Evaluates cholesterol levels, a key factor in heart disease prevention.
- HSCRP Blood Test: Helps assess cardiovascular risk by identifying subtle inflammation markers linked to heart conditions.
The Role of Blood Chemistry Panel in Early Detection of Heart Disease
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death among women, and early detection is crucial in preventing severe complications. The Blood Chemistry Panel offered by Devansh Lab Werks plays a significant role in assessing cardiovascular health, identifying risk factors, and detecting abnormalities that may indicate a potential heart attack in women.
Key Parameters in the Blood Chemistry Panel
- Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP): Assesses kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and glucose levels.
- Renal Panel: Evaluates kidney health by measuring sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, anion gap, glucose, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
- General Chemistry: Includes globulin, ammonia, magnesium, homocysteine, amylase, and lipase to monitor metabolic health.
- Cardiac Markers: Measures CK-MB, myoglobin, troponin T, potassium, and BNP to detect heart muscle damage and assess cardiovascular risk.
- Specific Proteins: Includes a1 acid glycoprotein, a1 antitrypsin, b2 microglobulin, ASLO, C3, C4, ceruloplasmin, CRP, cystatin C, haptoglobin, IgA, IgG, IgM, prealbumin, and IgE to evaluate immune response and inflammation.
- Coagulation Profile: Tests PT, APTT, fibrinogen, factor 7, factor 8, thrombin time, protein C, and D-dimer to assess blood clotting function.
- Lipid Panel: Measures cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, which are critical in heart disease prevention.
- HSCRP Blood Test: Detects inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease, helping predict heart attack risk.
Conclusion
Heart disease continues to be a major health concern for women, often going undetected until severe complications arise. Recognizing early symptoms and undergoing routine screenings can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack in women.
Tests such as the Blood Chemistry Panel offered by Devansh Lab Werks provide valuable insights into cardiovascular health, helping detect abnormalities before they escalate. By monitoring key markers like cholesterol levels, inflammation indicators, and cardiac enzymes, women can take proactive steps toward prevention.
Prioritizing heart health through regular checkups, lifestyle modifications, and early diagnosis ensures better long-term well-being and reduces the likelihood of life-threatening cardiac events.