Cardiovascular disease risk factors and heart attack warning signs in women

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women are almost twice as likely as non-Indigenous women to have cardiovascular disease.²

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women aged 30 and over should see their GP for a heart check. Read more, here. 

If you are a healthcare professional, read more about absolute cardiovascular disease risk assessment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Warning signs of a heart attack in women

Know the full range of warning signs of a heart attack. Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom affecting women (and men).  

However, women are more likely than men to experience non-chest pain symptoms including jaw, shoulder or back pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, indigestion or fatigue/tiredness.  

Women under 50 years of age present more often with non-chest pain symptoms of cardiovascular disease.¹

If you are experiencing unusual symptoms and think you might be having a heart attack, do not delay seeking help, call triple zero (000) right away. Read more, here.

If you are a healthcare professional, it is important to make sure your patients are aware of heart attack warning signs. Read more, here. 

References

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Last reviewed: 6/10/2021