Heart conditions in women
Like men, women can be diagnosed with a range of heart conditions.
Key takeaways
- Women are less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation, less likely to take their medication regularly, and are less likely to make the lifestyle changes necessary for good health.
- Heart health-related complications during pregnancy can include: high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes.
- Complications during pregnancy can increase your risk of heart disease later in life.
Like men, women can be diagnosed with a range of heart conditions, including: angina, heart attack, heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Other heart conditions include inherited heart conditions, or heart problems present at birth i.e. congenital heart disease.
Specific heart conditions that women are diagnosed with
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection, or SCAD, is an example of a condition that occurs more frequently in women.It occurs when a split suddenly develops between the inner layers of a coronary artery. Blood flows into this space and reduces the amount of blood flowing through the artery. The symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack or angina. Most of the people who suffer from SCAD have few or no known risk factors
Recognising the symptoms of a heart attack, and getting treatment as quickly as possible, is important for women of all ages.
Particular information women should be aware of
When it comes to heart health, research shows that many women often put the needs of others before themselves. Woman are less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation, less likely to take their medication regularly, and are less likely to make the lifestyle changes necessary for good health.
Family, friends and your doctor all have an important role to play in supporting women who are living with heart disease.
Complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease later in life. If you experienced these, tell your healthcare professional so they can monitor your heart health.
What happens if you're diagnosed with a heart condition
Women of any age may be diagnosed with a heart condition. What happens next can be dependent on the type of heart problem.Many people who have been diagnosed with a heart condition go on to live long, full lives. However, it's important to make lifestyle changes to manage your heart health over the longer term.
If you have been discharged from hospital after a diagnosis or a procedure, the steps to recovery are likely to be:
- Regular check-ups with your doctor
- Referral to a cardiac rehabilitation program
- Taking medication
- Making changes to your parts of your lifestyle like diet and exercise.
Information and support for living with heart disease
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...
The Heart Foundation Research Program
The Heart Foundation Research Program
The Heart Foundation Research Program
We are Australia’s biggest non-government funder of world-class research into heart health. Learn more about our high impact research. ...
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Our range of clinical and patient support resources are available for you to use in your daily practice....
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Understanding your heart age
Understanding your heart age
Understanding your heart age
Try our Heart Age Calculator to understand what contributes to your risk of heart disease...
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join the Heart Foundation community. Together, we can make a real difference for Australian hearts. ...
Stay informed about COVID-19
Stay informed about COVID-19
Stay informed about COVID-19
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My Heart, My Life - Managing your heart health
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Cook with Heart
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Heart Health Checks: Information for healthcare professionals
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Heart Health Checks have been supported by Medicare since the 1 April 2019....
Key Statistics: Heart Failure
Key Statistics: Heart Failure
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community is a program that aims to increase a person’s chance of survival if they suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. ...
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. ...
Our supporters
Our supporters
Our supporters
Working together to save Australian hearts...
10 ways to get the right balance of fats
10 ways to get the right balance of fats
10 ways to get the right balance of fats
Getting the right balance of fats in your diet can improve your heart health....
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Supporting local Councils in South Australia
Supporting local Councils in South Australia
Resources to help support your council region to be healthy, connected and safe....
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Sorting out your finances after a heart attack
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Explore how to manage your financial concerns after a heart attack. ...
Leaving a gift in your Will: A lasting legacy
Leaving a gift in your Will: A lasting legacy
Leaving a gift in your Will: A lasting legacy
One of the most powerful ways to help support a future without heart disease is to include a gift to the Heart Foundation in your Will...
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Find heart healthy lamb recipes....
Key Statistics: Risk factors for heart disease
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The one that took Jan’s breath away
The one that took Jan’s breath away
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Open heart surgery to treat damaged heart valves has improved Jan's overall health....
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
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Kim shares the emotional and physical upheaval experienced on her journey to diagnosis and recovery....
Workplace giving for employees
Workplace giving for employees
Workplace giving for employees
The Heart Foundation’s workplace giving program makes it easy to setup regular, tax-deductible donations from your pre-tax income. ...