Heartbeats Matter: Raising Women's Heart Health Awareness on World Heart Day
Why Women’s Heart Health Needs More Focus For a long time, heart disease was seen as a “men’s problem,” but this misconception can be dangerous. Women often exhibit different symptoms and risk factors compared to men, and the medical field is still working to fully understand these differences. While men often experience chest pain during a heart attack, women may have more subtle symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the neck, jaw, or back. Research shows that women tend to experience delays in receiving treatment for heart attacks , as their symptoms are frequently misattributed to other conditions like anxiety or indigestion. This can prevent women from getting timely, life-saving care. Additionally, many women are unaware of their own risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, only 56% of women recognize heart disease as their leading cause of death, with many failing to take necessary steps to protect their heart health. These