Too often, heart disease is considered a man’s disease. Actually, heart disease kills more women than men. This misperception often leads women with heart issues to not get a timely diagnosis or the adequate care they need. Women often don’t know they have a heart problem until they have a heart attack.

1. Women and Heart Disease
Too often, heart disease is considered a man’s disease. Actually, heart disease kills more
women than men.
This misperception often leads women with heart issues to not get a timely diagnosis or
the adequate care they need. Women often don’t know they have a heart problem until
they have a heart attack.
The truth is that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women. Over one-
third of all women will die of heart disease. About 460,000 will die of heart disease and
stroke this year. Heart disease is also the leading cause of disability among women.
Men, in general, do a better job when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. Women
receive less treatment for heart disease than men do because they frequently dismiss their
symptoms and put off routine exams. These delays in care can have devastating
consequences, including disability or even death. Women tend to be diagnosed later in
the course of their disease and, once they are diagnosed, they tend to do more poorly than
men in their outcome.
Women should talk to their primary care doctor about what they can do to prevent heart
disease. Ask about signs and symptoms. Women need to know that not all heart attacks
cause chest pain, and symptoms in women can be different from men.
Symptoms include pain that radiates to the jaw, shoulder, neck, upper back or arm.
Nausea, vomiting, and intense sweating, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness
and unusual fatigue are also symptoms of a heart attack. If you have these symptoms or
any chest discomfort, immediately call 911.
Some risk factors in heart disease in women can be controlled Controllable factors
include high cholesterol levels and blood pressure, mental stress, low estrogen levels,
smoking, diet, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. Uncontrollable factors include
family history, race, age and gender.
Heart disease doesn’t affect only older women. Women under the age of 65 with a family
history of heart disease should be diligent when it comes to recognizing risk factors.
Women of all ages should discuss their personal risk for heart disease with their primary
care doctor. Risk of heart disease can be greatly decreased when women have the
information they need.

2. Women with heart disease who can no longer work due to physical and mental health
impairments may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
To receive SSDI, applicants must prove that the disability prevents them from performing
any type of work, including sedentary tasks. Always report ongoing symptoms and health
concerns to healthcare professionals. Making them aware of symptoms such as shortness
of breath, chest pain and swelling is another important element of qualifying for Social
Security disability benefits.