Female Heart
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Female Heart
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Mosca L, Hammond G, Mochari-Greenberger H, Towfighi A, Albert MA, American Heart Association Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Women and Special Populations Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, Council on High Blood Pressure Research, and Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. Fifteen-year trends in awareness of heart disease in women: Results of a 2012 American Heart Association national survey . Circulation . 2013;127(11):1254–63, e1–29.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. About Multiple Cause of Death, 1999–2020 . CDC WONDER Online Database website. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2022. Accessed February 21, 2022.
Heron M. Deaths: Leading causes for 2016 [PDF-2.3M]. National Vital Statistics Reports . 2018;67(6).
Benjamin EJ, Muntner P, Alonso A, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2019 update: a report from the American Heart Association . Circulation . 2019;139:e1–e473.
NHLBI. Heart Disease in Women . Accessed October 2, 2018.
Fryar CD, Chen T, Li X. Prevalence of uncontrolled risk factors for cardiovascular disease: United States, 1999–2010 [PDF-494KB] . NCHS data brief, no 103. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2012.
HHS, OWH. Heart disease prevention . 2015. Accessed October 2, 2018.
HHS, OWH. Diabetes . Accessed October 2, 2018.
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The term heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and heart attack.
Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a man’s disease, almost as many women as men die each year of heart disease in the United States.
This map shows death rates from heart disease in women in the United States. The darker red indicates a higher death rate.
Despite increases in awareness over the past decades, only about half (56%) of women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer . 1
Learn more facts about women and heart disease:
Although some women have no symptoms, others may have 5
These symptoms may happen when you are resting or when you are doing regular daily activities. Women also may have other symptoms, including 5
Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until you have other symptoms or emergencies, including 5
If you have any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away.
High blood pressure, high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of all people in the United States (47%) have at least one of these three risk factors. 6
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including
To lower your chances of getting heart disease, it’s important to do the following: 7
For more information on women and heart disease, visit the following websites:
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Women tend to have higher average heart rates than men do. Pregnancy and menopause both lead to changes in heart function. After menopause, women and men tend to have similar overall heart health. Although many arrhythmias affect more men than women, these irregular heart rhythms may cause different symptoms in women.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women and Heart Disease. (https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm) Accessed 7/28/2022.
Ehdaie A, Cingolani E, Shehata M, Wang X, Curtis AB, Chugh SS. Sex differences in cardiac arrhythmias. (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circep.117.005680) _Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. _2018 Mar; 11(3). Accessed 7/28/2022.
Ganjehei L, Massumi A, Nazeri A, Razavi M. Cardiac arrhythmias in women. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21494526/) Tex Heart Inst J . 2011;38(2):157-159. Accessed 7/28/2022.
Merck Manual, Consumer Version. Physical Changes During Pregnancy. (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/normal-pregnancy/physical-changes-during-pregnancy) Accessed 7/28/2022.
Prabhavathi K, Selvi KT, Poornima KN, Sarvanan A. Role of biological sex in normal cardiac function and in its disease outcome – a review. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4190707/) J Clin Diagn Res . 2014 Aug; 8(8): BE01-BE04. Accessed 7/28/2022.
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The average heart rate for adult women is 78 to 82 beats per minute, though the “normal” range is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. Multiple factors such as hormones, exercise and lifestyle choices can affect your heart rate.
Typically, women or people assigned female at birth have a slightly higher heart rate than men or people assigned male at birth. The average adult man has a heart rate between 70 to 72 beats per minute.
Around puberty, men’s hearts tend to grow about 15% to 30% larger than women’s hearts. Generally, this increase in heart size matches an increase in body size.
Each time your heart beats, the contractions pump blood throughout your heart and body. Women’s hearts must beat faster to pump the same amount of blood because their hearts are usually slightly smaller than men’s.
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A heart rate consistently above 100 beats per minute when you’re not exercising may indicate a dangerous health condition. You should see your healthcare provider right away if your heartbeat is this fast, especially if you also have symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness.
Also, a heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute could be problematic, especially if you have symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness or significant fatigue. But it’s normal for athletes and more active people to have a lower heart rate in the 40s to 50s.
Before menopause , people assigned female at birth tend to have better heart function than people assigned male at birth who are the same age. After menopause, there’s not as much of a difference. Researchers think this could point to a connection between estrogen and heart health.
Before going through perimenopause and menopause, women tend to have better outcomes than men of the same age with diseases such as:
Women in postmenopause and men of the same age tend to have similar outcomes with these diseases.
Researchers haven’t found hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to be an effective treatment for improving heart function in postmenopausal individuals. It also doesn’t appear to reduce the risk of cardiovascular emergencies. However, it may help control heart palpitations and other symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes or night sweats .
Your hormones fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle . Generally, your heart rate increases slightly during ovulation and the week afterward (luteal phase). It decreases slightly during your period and the week afterward (follicular phase).
Pregnant people have a higher average heart rate compared with people who aren’t pregnant. A pregnant person’s heart works harder to pump blood to their uterus . The amount of blood their heart pumps increases by 30% to 50%. The average heart rate during pregnancy rises to around 90 beats per minute. Pregnancy also makes your heart rate increase more than usual during exercise.
Minor heart arrhythmias are common during pregnancy. For example, about 1 in 2 pregnant people experience premature atrial contractions . These arrhythmias don’t cause complications and go away without treatment most of the time. More serious arrhythmias, such as diastolic heart murmurs , may require treatment.
Some irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and conditions affecting heart rate are more common in people assigned female at birth, including:
People assigned female at birth are less likely to experience some types of arrhythmias and conditions affecting their heart rate, including:
Atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat , affects people assigned male at birth more frequently than people assigned female at birth. But people assigned female at birth often experience different symptoms of atrial fibrillation, including:
They’re also more likely to have other conditions along with atrial fibrillation, such as:
You may have an appointment with an electrophysiologist to diagnose a heart rhythm disorder. Electrophysiologists are cardiologists who specialize in heart arrhythmias.
Your healthcare provider may use several tests or tools to diagnose a heart rhythm disorder, including an:
Generally, treatment for a heart rhythm disorder may include:
If you’re relaxing after work and suddenly feel your heart racing, you might worry something is wrong. Or maybe you’ve noticed that a male friend always seems to have a lower resting heart rate than you.
It’s normal for a woman or a person assigned female at birth to have a higher heart rate, and it seems hormones play a role. But if your heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute while you’re resting, you should call your healthcare provider. Also, tell your provider if your heart rate is often below 60 beats per minute, especially if you’re not extremely active in sports or exercise.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/28/2022.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.
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An Overview of Heart Disease in Women: What You Need to Know
Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .
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Pamela Assid, DNP, RN, is a board-certified nursing specialist with over 25 years of expertise in emergency, pediatric, and leadership roles.
Jeffrey S. Lander, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist and the President and Governor of the American College of Cardiology, New Jersey chapter.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. 1 Women experience heart disease differently than men. Understanding those differences can help women access the appropriate healthcare resources quickly. Reducing risk factors and focusing on prevention are important to decreasing the negative impact of heart disease in women.
Heart disease encompasses different heart and blood vessel conditions, such as coronary artery disease, vascular disease, high blood pressure, and heart failure. The most common cause of heart disease is atherosclerosis . 2 It is caused by plaque buildup, a collection of cholesterol and fatty deposits, on the walls of the arteries. Over time, atherosclerosis restricts blood flow to the heart.
As blood flow becomes more restricted, the heart lacks oxygen and nutrient-rich blood. This condition is called ischemia, and the heart becomes less effective. Ischemia causes some of the symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, or angina. 2
Women typically have symptoms of heart disease about 10 years later than men. 2 For men, chest pain is a common symptom. In women, symptoms of a heart attack are more subtle and can include:
Heart disease may not be as obvious as a heart attack. It may present with these symptoms:
Any of these symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, especially if they are new, sudden, or worsening.
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Certain factors can increase a woman's risk of developing heart disease, including: 3
Your doctor will take a thorough history and perform a physical exam to begin the diagnostic process. The doctor will discuss your risk factors and symptoms.
Tests that will be conducted to diagnose cardiovascular disease include:
Eating a nutrient-rich diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol combined with an active lifestyle is important in managing heart disease. 4 For some women, there may be additional considerations, such as:
Certain risk factors, such as family history or pre-existing heart conditions, cannot be changed. However, some can be modified to reduce the risk of heart disease, including: 3
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. The symptoms of heart disease may present differently in women than in men. For example, signs are more subtle in women.
Certain factors may increase your risk of having heart disease, including older age, family history of heart disease, menopause, and other chronic conditions like high blood pressure. Besides medical treatment, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing other health conditions you have can go a long way toward lowering your heart disease risk.
It is important to understand how heart disease impacts women differently than men. Finding the right healthcare professional is an important part of the process. Partner with a physician who can support and guide decisions on personal health choices. With the right management plan, you have the potential to minimize the impact of heart disease and maximize the ability to enjoy all life has to offer.
Yes, heart disease affects both younger and older women. Heart disease is the number one killer among women ages 25 years and older. 2 Heart disease accounted for one out of every five female deaths in 2017, and is the number one cause of death in women. 3 4
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 16 women ages 20 years or older have heart disease. 4 In 2017, almost 300,000 women died from cardiovascular disease.
Women are less likely than men to have the typical symptoms of heart disease, such as crushing chest pain, sudden-onset extreme sweating with or without exertion, and difficulty breathing. They tend to have more subtle symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and discomfort in the back, arms, neck, or jaw without any chest pain. Due to the different and milder symptoms in women, physicians often overlook heart disease as a diagnosis for women. 5
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Listen to your heart: women and heart disease .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women and heart disease .
Keteepe-Arachi T, Sharma S. Cardiovascular disease in women: understanding symptoms and risk factors . Eur Cardiol . 2017;12(1):10-13. doi:10.15420/ecr.2016:32:1
By Pamela Assid, DNP, RN
Pamela Assid, DNP, RN, is a board-certified nursing specialist with over 25 years of expertise in emergency, pediatric, and leadership roles.
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