Experts don’t fully understand why, but the signs of heart disease in women can be more subtle than those in men. Think of it like this: heart attack symptoms in women may be more like a quiet whisper than an ear-splitting siren.
Because of their biology, women have some different heart disease risk factors to men. They can also have different patterns of heart disease.
Here’s how heart disease in men and women can vary – and the most important things you need to know about signs of heart disease in women.
If you are experiencing any cardiac symptoms: chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath. dizziness or fainting or signs of heart failure (swollen ankles, unable to lie flat or waking short of breath) you should contact your GP or present to an emergency department for assessment.
If you require urgent attention dial 000 (Triple Zero) and ask for an Ambulance.
What are the signs of a heart attack in women?
The signs of heart attack in women can be the same as those in men, but they can also be more subtle. Women can often experience symptoms that aren’t triggered by physical activity and are more likely to have symptoms in the weeks leading up to a heart attack.
Here are 8 possible signs of heart attack in women you should not ignore.
1. Chest pain
In both women and men, chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack. But heart attack pain in women often feels more like chest tightness, pressure or discomfort.
Women who are having a heart attack may have no chest discomfort at all. That’s why it’s so important to take note of other warning signs.
2. Pain in the upper body
One of these warning signs for women's heart disease is pain or discomfort in the upper back, neck, jaw, or arms. This pain may start gradually, suddenly, or come and go.
3. Unexplained or unusual fatigue
Fatigue you cannot explain is another one of the signs of a heart attack in a woman. For example, you might feel exhausted for no apparent reason. Or way more tired than usual after doing your regular sports or activities. Some women have unusual fatigue in the weeks before a heart attack.
4. Shortness of breath
This can be one of the first signs of heart disease in women. See your GP if you:
- start to huff and puff doing things that didn’t make you breathless before
- feel breathless for no reason (that is, when you’re not exerting yourself)
- feel short of breath when you lie down flat.
5. Lightheadedness or dizziness
Women are more likely to feel faint, lightheaded or dizzy when they are having a heart attack.
6. Weakness
Feeling weak, unsteady or shaky is one of the common symptoms of a heart attack in women. This may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as anxiety, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting.
7. Gut symptoms
Some women experience gut issues before a heart attack. These can include:
- pain or pressure in the stomach
- nausea
- vomiting
- indigestion.
8. Sweating
Breaking out in sweat for no apparent reason is another common sign of a heart attack in women. A cold, clammy sensation could also suggest heart issues.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs of women's heart disease, seek medical attention.
If you think you or someone around you could be having a heart attack, call Triple Zero (000) right away.
Heart disease in women: What’s the difference?
In Australia, more men than women have heart disease – but women’s heart disease is more likely to go unrecognised1. It’s also a leading cause of illness and death, with about 54 women having an acute heart event (such as a heart attack) every day in Australia1.
Women can experience heart symptoms even with only minor heart artery disease. They are also more likely than men to have problems in the smaller arteries, which can lead to blockages in these vessels.
Risk factors for heart disease in women
Like men, women can have the typical heart disease risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight or obesity, and an unhealthy diet. But women also have some other risk factors related to their biology and pregnancy history.
These include:
- early menopause (before the age of 40)
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- pregnancy complications (including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and having a premature or low birth-weight baby)
- using the combined oral contraceptive pill
- starting your period at a young age
- anaemia, especially during pregnancy
- depression.
How to prevent heart disease in women
When it comes to preventing heart disease in women, it’s important to follow heart-healthy living advice.
To lower the risk of heart disease, women can:
- Avoid smoking, or get support to quit if needed
- Reach and stay at a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Do some regular physical activity
- Limit how much alcohol they drink
- Find ways to relax and manage stress
- Manage any other health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Get a Heart Health Check – this 20-minute check-up is free for eligible Australians. Find out more at the Heart Foundation.
It’s also important to manage risk factors related to contraception, pregnancy and women’s health issues. Your GP or specialist can help you with this.
How is heart disease treated in women?
Heart disease is managed in a similar way in women and men. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment might involve:
- lifestyle changes
- medications
- regular monitoring
- cardiac rehabilitation
- a minimally invasive procedure (ie. Stent)
- coronary artery bypass surgery.
However, research suggests that women who experience a heart attack are less likely to get appropriate treatment and are more likely to die than men2.
This emphasises the need for women to know the risk factors and understand possible heart attack symptoms. If you have any concerns about your heart health whatsoever, it’s worth checking in with your GP.
FAQs
Is heart disease more common in men or women?
In Australia, heart disease is more common in men than women. But heart disease remains a leading cause of illness and death in Australian women.
What causes heart disease in women?
All the usual things can contribute to heart disease in women, such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history, and overweight or obesity. But women have some additional risk factors, including issues related to their menstrual cycles and pregnancy history.
Is heartburn a sign of a heart attack in women?
Heartburn is usually a sign of indigestion or reflux, but it can be a sign of a heart attack in women.
Is back pain a sign of heart attack in women?
While back pain can be caused by a lot of things, it can be one of the symptoms for a heart attack in women.
References
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts. Last updated 12 Dec 2024. Available at https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/disease-types. Accessed 2.7.2025.
2. Khraishah H, Daher R, Garelnabi M, Karere G, Welty FK. Sex, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Novel Risk Factors and Recommendations for Earlier Diagnosis to Improve Outcomes. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2023;43(8):1369-1383. doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.123.319370
Reviewed by Dr Siobhan Lockwood, Cardiologist, at Holmesglen Private Hospital.
