Cardiovascular disease, which used to be seen mainly in men, has also become one of the leading causes of death in women over the last 20 years.
In general, as people age, the likelihood of the disease is the same for women and men. In women, the risk of heart disease increases significantly after menopause. Because heart disease appears at an older age in women than in men, it can be confused with other conditions in age-related risk assessment. For this reason, women undergo cardiac examinations less often. Although heart disease is diagnosed more frequently in men, the death rate from it is higher in women.
In women, the signs of heart disease may not be as obvious as in men. It is important for women who experience passing chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations to see a doctor.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.