13 Dec Heart Attacks in omen: The Overlooked Warning Signs
Heart attacks are not just a male health issue. Every year, 30,000 women in the UK are admitted to hospital after having a heart attack. Despite this, women are 50% more likely than men to receive an incorrect initial diagnosis, delaying critical care.
The most common heart attack symptom for both sexes is chest pain or discomfort that doesn’t subside. However, women often experience additional symptoms that can easily be missed, such as:
- Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, back, stomach, or arms.
- Nausea, dizziness, or feeling faint.
Clinicians unfamiliar with these gender-specific differences may misinterpret these symptoms as being unrelated to the heart. Tragically, women whose heart attacks are missed at first have a 70% higher risk of dying compared to those promptly diagnosed.
Aortic aneurysms: why women are at greater risk
Aortic aneurysms—bulges in the body’s main artery—are less common in women, thanks to the protective effects of oestrogen. However, when they do occur, they’re more dangerous. Research shows that aneurysms in women grow faster, are four times as likely to rupture, and are three times more likely to be fatal compared to men.
The medical guidelines for intervention can also disadvantage women. Surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm is generally recommended when the swelling reaches 5.5cm. Yet, because women naturally have smaller aortas, an aneurysm of this size is often more advanced in a female patient, bringing a higher risk of rupture before surgery is performed.
Timely diagnosis is crucial. Emergency Departments should urgently perform CT scans on patients presenting with possible aneurysm symptoms, such as severe abdominal or back pain. Early detection and preventative surgery can significantly improve outcomes, but only if clinicians recognise the risks unique to women.
Aortic dissection: identifying subtle signs
An aortic dissection, where the layers of the aorta tear apart, is a life-threatening condition with symptoms that overlap in men and women, such as sudden severe chest or back pain and shortness of breath. However, women often experience additional signs that can complicate diagnosis, including:
- Low blood pressure.
- Fainting or a feeling of disorientation.
- Altered mental states or signs of shock.
These symptoms may hinder communication with doctors, delaying diagnosis and treatment. For female patients, recognising these warning signs quickly can be the difference between life and death.
Why women face worse outcomes
The disparity in cardiovascular care is not a new problem. Historically, medical research has focused predominantly on male patients, with women frequently excluded from studies. This has led to treatments and diagnostic tools being designed with male physiology in mind, leaving women at a disadvantage.
Societal perceptions also play a role. Heart disease is often stereotyped as a condition affecting middle-aged, overweight men. This bias means that women, particularly younger or middle-aged women, may not seek medical help quickly. Even when they do, they often face delays in Emergency Departments or receive less comprehensive testing.
Misdiagnosis is a significant issue. Women experiencing heart attacks are more likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or panic attacks, especially if their symptoms mimic those of mental health conditions. While clinicians should rule out physical causes like heart failure or aortic disease, too often these possibilities are overlooked in favour of less critical diagnoses.
Progress in women’s heart health
While gender disparities in cardiovascular care persist, there are signs of progress. Researchers have developed a higher-sensitivity troponin test for detecting heart attacks, which has doubled the number of women diagnosed. This advancement offers hope that future diagnostics will better account for the differences in how men and women experience cardiovascular conditions.
Nevertheless, more research focusing on women’s cardiovascular health is urgently needed. Until then, women must advocate for their own health. If you suspect a heart or aortic problem, make your concerns clear and request appropriate tests, such as an ECG or CT scan. These steps could save your life.
How Enable Law can support you
If you or a loved one has experienced delayed or inadequate treatment for a cardiology and would like to file a cardiology compensation claim, we’re here to help. Our expert team has extensive experience in medical misdiagnosis claims or substandard care for women with heart and aortic conditions. We are here to support you every step of the way.
From the CDC:
When to call 9-1-1
In some women, the first signs and symptoms of heart disease can be:
- Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations).
- Shortness of breath, sudden fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen.
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t delay. Call 9-1-1 right away.
More information:
- https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/heart-truth/listen-to-your-heart
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Last Updated on December 13, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD