Heart disease in women often tells a quieter, more easily ignored story – one that makes it far more dangerous. Unlike the dramatic symptoms typically associated with cardiac events, warning signs in women tend to be subtle, frequently dismissed as stress, fatigue, or anxiety, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
But the risk isn’t defined by symptoms alone. Beyond familiar markers like blood pressure and cholesterol, a woman’s medical history – including past pregnancy-related complications – can quietly shape her long-term heart health, making awareness and early intervention all the more critical.
Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, an interventional cardiologist and functional medicine expert with over 20 years of experience, is highlighting the critical need to recognise and address early heart-related symptoms – along with underlying conditions that can significantly elevate a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
In an Instagram video shared on April 16, the cardiologist explains, “Some women have less than a one percent chance of a heart attack in their lifetime. Others have nearly 20 percent. The scary part? Most don’t know which one they are.”
Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women
Dr Bhojraj points out that heart disease, not cancer, remains the leading cause of death among women, and the most alarming part is that many may already be living with it without realising. Too often, the warning signs are overlooked or misunderstood.
In reality, heart disease rarely appears overnight; it develops gradually over years of neglect. It can begin subtly, with persistent fatigue brushed off as everyday tiredness, or mild chest tightness dismissed as stress or anxiety – signals that are easy to ignore, but critical not to.
The cardiologist highlights, “Because nothing feels wrong, right? You’re just tired. A little more winded than you used to be. Noticing that random chest tightness you blamed on stress or anxiety. Waking up at 3 am, heart racing. So you move on.”
It’s not just heart related markers
According to Dr Bhojraj, heart disease tends to be more fatal in women largely because its symptoms and early warning signs are so often dismissed. Subtle red flags – like blood pressure that has been quietly rising over the years or consistently borderline cholesterol levels – are frequently overlooked, allowing the condition to progress unchecked. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just these conventional markers that matter.
The cardiologist stresses that a woman’s heart health is also shaped by her pregnancy history. Complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension during pregnancy, or even an early delivery are not isolated events left in the past – they can leave a lasting imprint, significantly influencing cardiovascular risk in the years that follow.
He explains, “Meanwhile, your blood pressure’s been creeping up for years, your cholesterol’s been ‘borderline’ since your 30s, and here’s the one almost no one told you: If you had preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy, delivered early…yeah, that counts. At that point, it’s not just ‘pregnancy stuff’ of the past. It’s a preview of your future risk.”
This is why paying attention to your body is crucial. Dismissing subtle symptoms doesn’t make them disappear – it only allows the condition to worsen over time. When recognised early, many heart issues can be managed, even reversed, and your overall risk significantly reduced with timely medical intervention and the right treatment.
