“Women often have a less dramatic presentation. Unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, discomfort in the back, shoulder, neck or jaw, acidity, heartburn, epigastric pain, lightheadedness, nausea, sweating and palpitations can sometimes be cardiac symptoms and should not be casually dismissed,” said Dr. Chandrama Das, Consultant Cardiologist, Peerless Hospital Guwahati.

While cardiovascular health is important at every stage of a woman’s life, Dr. Chandrama identifies menopause as a particularly important period for reassessing cardiac risk. She also highlighted often-overlooked risk factors including PCOS, early menopause before 40, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, smoking and thyroid disease.

“Pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes should not simply be forgotten once pregnancy is over. They can be markers of future cardiovascular risk and deserve attention as part of a woman’s long-term health,” she said.

Dr. Chandrama also cautioned that cardiac symptoms do not always result from a major coronary blockage. Coronary microvascular dysfunction, vasospastic angina and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can cause cardiac symptoms without significant conventional coronary artery obstruction.

“Everyone thinks heart disease is a man’s disease, but it is not so. We also tend to overlook non-specific symptoms in women because they do not resemble the classic symptoms we expect. And although heart disease is less common in young women, it can happen,” Dr. Chandrama said.

“Women make up nearly half of the world’s population, yet cardiovascular health in women continues to receive less attention than it deserves. Heart disease is not exclusively a male health concern, and greater awareness of cardiovascular risk factors and warning signs among women is essential. Early recognition and timely medical care can play an important role in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease among women,” said Dr. Gautam Kr Das, CEO, Peerless Hospital Guwahati.

Peerless Hospital Guwahati provides comprehensive cardiac care including interventional cardiology, coronary angiography and angioplasty, echocardiography, heart failure and arrhythmia management, pacemaker and AICD implantation, and critical and emergency cardiac care.