6 Essential Facts about Women’s Heart Health

When it comes to the heart — men and women are not the same. Explore 6 unique facts about heart health for women, plus 5 tips to jumpstart your heart health journey.

We've seen it countless times on screen: someone clutches their chest, grimacing at a sudden, crushing pain radiating down their left arm. As soon as we see it, we know what it is: a heart attack. But this Hollywood reenactment is far from the whole picture… In fact, for women, heart attacks often look entirely different. No dramatic chest clutching. Sometimes no chest pain at all. Instead, it might feel like unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, or even indigestion.

The disconnect between the perception and reality of women's heart health runs deep. For instance, while breast cancer often dominates conversations about women's wellness, cardiovascular disease actually claims more women than all cancers combined.

In honor of Women's Heart Health Month, we're diving into 6 surprising facts about women's heart health, plus 5 actionable steps to keep your heart strong and reduce your risk of heart disease.

#1 Almost half of all women live with cardiovascular disease

Here's a statistic that might take your breath away: More than 60 million women in the United States — that's 44% of women — currently live with some type of cardiovascular disease.¹ Among women over 20, 44.4% have cardiovascular disease, compared to 54.1% of men.² 

Unfortunately, heart disease accounts for 1 in every 5 deaths among women, making it the leading cause of death for women.¹ 

#2 Women were widely excluded from clinical studies until 1993

Okay, this one isn't just about heart health — but it's a critical fact that lays the foundation for why there are so many gaps in women's healthcare.

In 1993, laws were enacted that required the National Institute of Health (NIH) to more equitably include women in clinical studies. Today, women represent about half of all participants in clinical studies. But pre-1993, women made up just a small fraction of participants in clinical studies — even for diseases that predominantly affected women. 

This means the vast majority of diagnostic tools and treatments were tested and validated for men's physiologies — not women's.

This lack of historical focus on the distinct presentations of health and disease for women has created a massive gap in knowledge and essential care.

And yes — that includes for heart health. (See why we had to include this one?) 

Learn more about key health differences between men and women >>

#3 Not all women are affected equally

The impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) varies significantly across racial and ethnic groups, typically reflecting deeper societal inequities in healthcare access and environmental factors. 

These disparities often show up in rates of heart disease: ³

• Non-Hispanic White women (42.1%)
• Non-Hispanic Black women (58.8%)
• Hispanic/Latina women (42.7%)
• Asian women (42.5%)

American Indian and Alaska Native women face unique challenges, with 1/3 of CVD-related events occurring before age 65.

Many factors can contribute to these differences in heart disease rates, including: ³

• Societal and political stressors
• Access to healthcare services
• Economic barriers and poverty
• Historical medical discrimination
• Environmental factors like air quality
• Cultural traditions and dietary patterns
• Language barriers in healthcare settings
• Work-related stress and occupational hazards
• Access to healthy food options (food deserts)

It's important to note that — regardless of ethnicity — heart disease is the leading cause of death for all women.

#4 Women's hearts are built differently

The differences between men's and women's hearts aren't just metaphorical - they're anatomical. A woman's heart and its chambers are generally more compact than a man's, creating distinct physiological characteristics that can include differences in respiratory capacities, circulation, responses to stress, and more.

Understanding these biological differences can help explain why women may experience heart disease differently and why treatments often need to be tailored specifically for women's bodies.

#5 The protective effects of female hormones drop after menopause

Fun fact: before menopause, women generally have a 62-70% lower risk of heart disease than men. ⁴ This natural protection comes from our hormonal makeup, particularly estrogen, which supports heart health in several ways:

• Helps maintain flexible, responsive blood vessels
• Supports healthy cholesterol balance
• Aids in blood pressure regulation
• Influences how our bodies handle stress

Unfortunately, estrogen levels fall significantly during menopause, and the added protection appears to drop alongside it. Post-menopause, women's risk nearly lines up with men's. ⁵

#6 Women experience different warning signs

If you're waiting for that dramatic chest-clutching moment to worry about heart health, you might miss crucial warning signs. Women's heart attack symptoms often differ markedly from the "classic" symptoms:

• Pain or discomfort in your upper back, neck, or jaw
• Persistent fatigue that seems odd based on your activity
• Breathlessness, especially with minimal exertion
• Unusual sensations in your heart rhythm
• What feels like severe indigestion
• Breaking out in a cold sweat

These more subtle signs often lead to delayed treatment - women's heart attacks go unrecognized 34% of the time, compared to 27% for men. ⁶

5 Tips to start improving your heart health today

1. Track your heart health journey

Regular check-ups are vital, but daily awareness matters more. Think about it: you spend 365 days a year making choices that affect your heart but only see your doctor once or twice. Those small daily decisions - taking the stairs, choosing a healthy snack, managing stress - add up to create your heart health story. 

Use your Evie Ring to monitor key indicators like:

• Heart rate patterns
• Activity levels
• Sleep quality
• Stress signals
  

2. Move in ways that bring you joy

Research has found that walking even just 4,000 daily steps (about 2 miles) can significantly boost heart health. ⁷ Find movement you enjoy - maybe it's morning yoga, dance breaks with your kids, or evening walks with friends.

3. Create your personal stress relief toolkit

Since women's hearts respond uniquely to stress, keep your heart healthy by building a personal collection of stress-management techniques. This could include breathing exercises, gardening, reading, or any activity that helps you decompress.

4. Prioritize restorative sleep

Women experience insomnia at nearly twice the rate of men, with rates climbing even higher during and after menopause. ⁸ Studies show that sleep disturbances affect up to 47% of women during perimenopause and increase to 60% during postmenopause.⁹ Try building your own evening relaxation routine, stopping caffeine intake by 1pm, and other smart sleep habits to support easier and all-around better sleep at night.

5. Build your support network

Research consistently shows that strong social connections are connected with better health habits and outcomes. Whether it's family, friends, or a community group — nurture those relationships that lift you up. Try to schedule at least 30 minutes throughout the week to connect with those you love most.

References

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