Closing the Gender Gap in Cardiovascular Care

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet it’s still widely misunderstood. Women often experience heart disease differently than men, and inequities in diagnosis and treatment continue to affect outcomes.

During American Heart Month, it’s important to highlight the differences in symptoms, the gaps in care and the advanced treatment options available for cardiovascular disease in women.

Symptoms Aren’t Always What You Expect

For years, heart attack messaging has focused on the “typical” warning signs: severe chest pressure and pain radiating down the left arm. While many men experience these classic symptoms, women often present differently, making heart disease harder to recognize and treat quickly.

Women may experience:

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or indigestion
• Back, neck or jaw pain
• Unusual fatigue
• Lightheadedness

Because these symptoms may appear subtle or unrelated to the heart, women are more likely to delay care and are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The Ongoing Inequity Gap

Despite decades of research, disparities remain in how women are diagnosed and treated for heart disease:

• Under-recognition of risk, especially in younger women or those without risk factors
• Delayed diagnosis when symptoms are atypical (e.g., relating to anxiety, stress or gastrointestinal issues)
• Differences in testing and treatment approaches
• Historic gaps in research and education focused on women

Greater awareness, among both patients and providers, is key to improving results.

Advanced Care for Women: Venous Ablation

Cardiovascular health extends beyond heart attacks. Many women experience chronic venous insufficiency, including varicose veins and leg swelling, and may assume it is only cosmetic. However, these conditions can often signal underlying circulation issues.

Minimally invasive treatments such as venous ablation use targeted heat or energy to close malfunctioning veins and redirect blood flow to healthier vessels. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, requires little downtime and can significantly improve both symptoms and quality of life.

You can also hear directly from a physician in our related podcast, where our board certified specialists discusses real-world experiences, symptoms and treatment options.

Prioritize Your Heart Health

When it comes to heart health, listening to your body can be lifesaving. If you experience unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, back or jaw pain, or chest discomfort — especially if symptoms are sudden or severe — seek medical attention immediately.

Eisenhower Health’s cardiovascular specialists provide comprehensive, personalized heart care designed to recognize the unique ways heart disease affects women.

This Heart Month, start the conversation. Awareness can save lives.