On World Health Day, medical experts highlighted a critical gap in healthcare—delayed diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women, despite it being one of the leading causes of death globally.
Doctors point out that women often ignore early warning signs or experience symptoms that differ from the typical chest pain seen in men. Instead, they may report fatigue, nausea, jaw pain, or breathlessness—symptoms that are frequently misinterpreted as stress or anxiety, leading to missed or late diagnosis.
Another major challenge is the nature of heart disease in women. Many are more prone to microvascular disease, which affects smaller blood vessels and is harder to detect using standard diagnostic tests like angiograms. This further contributes to underdiagnosis and delays in treatment.
Experts also note a worrying rise in cardiac issues among younger women, including those in their 30s and 40s. Lifestyle factors such as stress, poor diet, metabolic disorders, and sedentary habits are contributing to this trend. Despite this, awareness remains low, and symptoms are often overlooked until a serious cardiac event occurs.
Gender bias in healthcare is another key concern. Studies show that women are less likely to receive timely referrals, accurate diagnosis, or evidence-based treatments compared to men, even when presenting similar risk profiles. Additionally, women remain underrepresented in clinical trials, meaning much of the available treatment data is based on male patients.
To address these gaps, experts are calling for gender-sensitive healthcare approaches, improved training for doctors, and increased awareness among women about heart health. They also stress the importance of regular screenings, especially for women over 40 or those with existing health conditions.
Overall, the message is clear: women’s heart health needs to be recognised as distinct and prioritised through early detection, better research, and equitable access to treatment to prevent avoidable deaths.
