Women’s Health
Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Cardiovascular disease in women is often under-diagnosed and under-treated. Our specialists provide leading-edge heart care designed for women’s needs.
Medically reviewed by Amparo Villablanca, M.D. on July 14, 2025.
What Is Cardiovascular Disease in Women?
Cardiovascular disease kills more women than men and all forms of cancer combined. But there is hope. With a team of experts on your side, you can prevent heart disease, treat existing issues, and help your heart be its healthiest.
Specialists at UC Davis Women’s Cardiovascular Medicine Program understand the unique ways heart disease affects women. Our compassionate, experienced team provides state-of-the-art therapies and education to help you live your healthiest life.
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Types of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Types of cardiovascular disease that are unique to women, more common in women, or present differently in women include:
- Heart disease associated with normal or non-obstructed coronary arteries (ANOCA, MINOCA, INOCA)
- Spasm of the heart arteries (Prinzmetal's angina)
- Coronary microvascular disease (disease of the small heart arteries)
- SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection, tear in the artery)
- Postpartum cardiomyopathy (heart failure during pregnancy or following delivery)
- Pregnancy-related disorders that increase heart disease risk (pregnancy-associated diabetes or high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and eclampsia)
- Atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disturbances
- Heart failure with preserved pumping function
- Autonomic dysfunction, such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms in Women
Heart disease symptoms in women can differ from those in men. They are often less obvious, typically last longer, and are not always brought on by physical effort. This makes them easily overlooked.
While chest pain is a predominant symptom, women are more prone to experience less severe discomfort. They’re more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, and pain or discomfort between the shoulder blades or below the breast. That’s why regular checkups with your health care provider are vital for all women.
Common Symptoms
If you have cardiovascular disease, you may notice symptoms such as:
- Decreased ability to exercise
- Fatigue that won’t go away
- Frequent indigestion or heartburn
- Lack of energy
- Shortness of breath during physical activity
- Palpitations
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs
- Trouble breathing when lying down
Emergency Symptoms
Symptoms that are severe or that don’t go away with rest may be a sign of a medical emergency. It could be a heart attack, stroke, or severe arrhythmia. Seek immediate medical treatment or call 911 if you notice:
- Chest pain that goes to the arms, back, jaw, neck, or stomach
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Feeling of fullness or squeezing in your chest
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe tiredness or weakness
Women’s Heart Disease Risk Factors
Certain factors increase a woman’s chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Our team helps you understand these factors so you can make informed decisions about your lifestyle and medical care. Heart disease risk factors for women include:
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the top risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women, and many women don’t know they have it.
High Cholesterol
High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol can lead to heart disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes can damage your heart and blood vessels over time, increasing women’s risk for heart disease.
Poor Diet
A diet that is not heart-healthy can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease. This includes eating foods that are high in saturated or trans fats, sugar, and sodium.
Physical Inactivity
Women who don’t get enough regular exercise are more at risk for heart disease.
Being Overweight or Obese
Having excess weight can increase a woman’s risk for heart disease.
Smoking
Women who smoke are up to four times more likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t.
Poor Sleep
Women who get less than 7-9 hours of sleep each night are at increased risk for heart disease.
Female-Specific Risk Factors
There are also a number of female-specific risk factors for heart disease that include reproductive factors, such as:
- Menopause
- Premature menopause (under age 40) or late menopause (over age 55)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes (conditions such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes, andpreeclampsia or eclampsia)
Some women may be at increased risk if they have these:
- Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can cause inflammation that may damage a woman's blood vessels.
- Elevated lipoprotein (a), a genetic cholesterol particle that predisposes women to heart disease, stroke, and inflammation of the heart arteries.
- Depression
- Breast cancer treatment (radiation and some chemotherapy can damage the heart and increase risk later in life).
Identifying and addressing these female-specific risk factors as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment is crucial for timely intervention and prevention.
Diagnosis and Testing for Women’s Cardiovascular Disease
Diagnosing cardiovascular disease usually starts with a physical exam and discussion of your medical history. Our women’s heart health specialists may recommend tests to help detect heart disease early, including:
Blood Tests
Routine blood tests look for signs of cholesterol imbalance, diabetes, and thyroid conditions, which can contribute to heart disease in women.
Cardiac Imaging
Specialized imaging tests, including an echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, and a coronary calcium scan, can show signs of heart or vascular disease.
Cardiovascular Disease Treatments for Women
Heart disease is treatable, and your therapy should be tailored to your medical needs. Our women’s heart and vascular specialists focus on the unique needs of women with heart disease. We discuss your options and listen to your preferences and concerns. Treatment options include:
Nutrition Counseling for Diet and Exercise Changes
We may recommend changes to your diet and activity to help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol or manage diabetes. Our team, led by our cardiac dietitians, provides clear guidance and support so you can make these changes part of your everyday habits.
Medications
Certain medicines can lower blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar, which can help control major heart disease risk factors. We have extensive knowledge of which medications work best for women and more common side effects in women.
Heart Catheter Procedures
Minimally invasive catheter procedures can treat many cardiovascular conditions without surgery. Our specialists guide a catheter (thin tube) with tiny instruments to the heart using only small incisions.
Heart Surgery
Surgery can be a life-saving option for cardiovascular disease in women. Our heart and vascular surgeons are leaders in heart surgery, from traditional to minimally invasive options. They can offer advice on reducing scar size.
How Women Can Prevent Heart Disease
Eighty percent of heart disease is preventable. Identifying and addressing these female-specific risk factors is crucial for timely intervention and preventative care. You can greatly lower your risk if you:
Aim for Weight Loss
Up to 70% of U.S. women have excess weight, but even small amounts of weight loss have a powerful impact on their cardiovascular health. Losing 5 to 10% of your body weight can significantly benefit your heart.
Be Active
Women can lower their risk of heart disease with regular physical activity (PDF) tailored to their abilities. A combination of cardiovascular activity, like walking and strength training, can lower heart disease risk factors and help you lose excess weight.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is especially harmful to women. Women who smoke have a 25% higher risk of heart disease than men who smoke. If you smoke, make an effort to quit (PDF).
Eat Heart-Healthy Foods
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help you prevent heart disease. Try to minimize processed foods and those high in added sugar and salt.
Get Regular Checkups
Your provider can detect or treat problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes during your visits. Treating these problems early can help you prevent serious complications from heart disease.
Make Sleep a Priority
Regular, quality sleep can lower your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Talk to your provider about your sleep and consider a sleep study if you have sleep issues.
Participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Your provider may recommend cardiac rehab as you recover from a heart condition, including a heart attack, heart failure, or cardiac surgery. Enrolling and fully participating in cardiac rehab can improve your physical function, mood, and quality of life, reduce your risk of a cardiac event, and help you better manage your heart condition.
"Women & CVD," World Heart Federation, https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/women-cvd/
"Lose Weight and Lower Heart Disease Risk," American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/go-red-get-fit/lose-weight-lower-heart-disease-risk
"Smoking and Heart Disease in Women," American Heart Association Go Red For Women, https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/risk-factors/smoking-and-heart-disease
Cardiovascular disease is the
#1Killer of women.
Nearly
45%Of women ages 20+ have some form of heart disease.
Source: American Heart Association: Go Red for Women
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