Angina in Women Can Be Different Than Men

Angina (chest pain) is a warning sign of 心脏病, 和 recognizing it 和 getting treated early may prevent a 心脏病.

冠状动脉疾病 occurs when fatty build-up in your coronary arteries, 称为斑块, prevents adequate blood flow that’s needed to provide oxygen to your heart muscle.

As coronary artery disease progresses, 你可能会紧张, pressure or discomfort in your chest during physical activity or when stressed. It may go away shortly after you stop the activity or get rid of the stress. 如果堵塞恶化, it may take longer for the pain to go away, or you might experience pain at rest.

Angina symptoms in women can also include nausea, 呕吐, 令人头疼的事, 下巴, 喉咙, abdomen or back 和 feeling out of breath. Once the extra dem和 for blood 和 oxygen stops, so do the symptoms. These symptoms are not always recognized as a symptom of a heart condition in women. As a result, treatment for women can be delayed.

心绞痛

View a detailed illustration of 心绞痛.

So why would 心绞痛 symptoms be different in women 和 men?

Heart disease in men is more often due to blockages in their coronary arteries, 被称为阻塞性 coronary artery disease (CAD). Women more frequently develop 心脏病 within the very small arteries that branch out from the coronary arteries. 这被称为 微血管病(MVD) 和 occurs particularly in younger women. Up to 50% of women with 心绞痛l symptoms who undergo 心导管检查 don’t have the obstructive type of CAD.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 女性的头号杀手 在美国.S., affecting over 40% of women. Over 58% of African-American women, 43% of Hispanic women 和 43% of Asian women age 20 or older have cardiovascular disease.

Track your 心绞痛 symptoms with our Angina Log.

Recognize the Signs, Seek Medical Treatment

Recognizing the signs 和 seeking treatment is the first step. Underst和ing your risk factors, such as a 家族病史, is also important to staying in tune with changes in your health.

Learn more about 心脏病: