Women's Heart Conditions

When It Comes to Heart Disease, Women Have Different Needs

More than 60 million women in the United States (44%) live with a form of heart disease. Heart attack rates have decreased in older adults, but have increased in women age 35-54.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women of all ages, but it's largely preventable—by up to 90%. Women experience different risk factors, symptoms and treatment responses than men with heart disease. Some heart conditions, like stress-induced cardiomyopathy – also called “broken heart syndrome” – and rheumatic heart disease, are also more common in women.

From preventive programs and screenings to diagnosis and advanced heart care, we’re by your side on your journey to heart health. At Emory Heart & Vascular, you receive expert heart disease prevention strategies, skilled diagnosis and advanced treatment.

The first step is a thorough assessment to determine if you are low, medium or high risk. Then, we provide education and resources to help lower your risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases.

When you need treatment, you can be confident your team will offer the most advanced tests and treatment options.

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Catering for your Unique Needs

Your care team is a collaborative group of highly specialized care providers working together to treat women who:

  • Are at risk for heart disease
  • Need cardiovascular screening
  • Want to prevent heart problems

Women should be aware of their heart disease risk and do all they can to minimize it. Most of us know diet and exercise play an important role, but certain health conditions also increase a woman’s likelihood of developing heart disease.

Your experienced care team is trained specifically in heart disease in women, so you can be sure you’re getting the best possible care for you.

Comprehensive Care for Your Heart Health Needs

Find peace of mind when it comes to taking care of your heart. The expert physicians at Emory Heart & Vascular specialize in minimally invasive treatment options for heart conditions tailored to your unique needs.

Cardiologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists, and therapists on your team work with you to guide your care and ensure your comfort at every step.

Heart Attack Warning Signs for Women

If you or someone you are with feels they are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Women’s heart attack symptoms can be different than men’s. Many women don't realize they are having a heart attack because their symptoms may be mild, or they may attribute the symptoms to stress, muscle strain, indigestion, or the flu. It’s essential to recognize these atypical symptoms because not all heart attacks manifest with chest pain, especially in women.

  • Chest pain or discomfort: It may feel like squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or fullness. Heaviness or pain in other areas, like your back, neck, jaw, or arms is more common in women. The pain or pressure can be gradual or sudden. It may come and go, gradually intensify, or awaken you from sleep.
  • Cold sweats: This can occur even without chest discomfort. If there is no obvious reason for sweating such as exercise or hot flashes, consider talking to your doctor.
  • Fatigue: Some women may experience feeling extremely tired, have a gradual or sudden decrease in energy level, or be unable to complete tasks that they were able to in the past.
  • Nausea: This can be mistaken for other problems such as flu, heartburn or stomach ulcers. Nausea can also be a symptom of heart disease or angina.
  • Shortness of breath: This can occur with minimal activity or with activities that previously did not cause difficulty with breathing. People with diabetes may not have chest pain and this may be their only symptom of a heart attack.
  • Lightheadedness: This may occur with activity or together with any other symptoms.

Dedicated to Women’s Heart Health 

At Emory Heart & Vascular, a dedicated team of physicians and advanced practice providers are focused on treating women’s heart disease. As a collaborative group of providers, they work together to treat patients who:

  • Are at risk for heart disease
  • Need cardiovascular screening
  • Want to prevent heart problems

Our experts have been at the forefront of studying and treating cardiovascular disease in women for over 50 years. We provide the latest evidence-based treatments in areas that include cardiovascular risk associated with inflammation and rheumatologic diseases, cardiovascular complications in pregnancy including hypertension, cancer treatment, and future cardiac risk, depression and its effect on cardiovascular health, chest pain in women, and so much more.

Heart-Healthy Guides

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for American women. Protect your heart and make healthy choices every day. To find out whether you're at risk for heart disease, use the information below to talk with your doctor or health care provider.

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