Shining a Light on Women’s Heart Health: Recognize the Signs Before It’s Too Late

On this Women’s Day, let’s shine a light on an often-overlooked aspect of women’s health: heart disease. Many people still think that heart attacks and heart disease are primarily men’s problems, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Women’s heart health is just as vulnerable, yet it often goes unnoticed or is misdiagnosed, leading to tragic consequences.

In today’s edition of Rhythm Report, we share a case study of Sarita Singh, who recently experienced a frightening episode that could have cost her life.

The Case of Sarita Singh

Sarita Singh, a 45-year-old housewife, had been feeling unusually tired for the past five days despite getting plenty of rest. She brushed it off as fatigue from her busy schedule at home, thinking it was nothing more than typical tiredness. However, as days passed, her condition worsened.

She started experiencing nausea and a tightness in her chest but dismissed it as indigestion, a problem she had dealt with before. She took some over-the-counter gas medicine, hoping it would alleviate the discomfort. Despite her family’s concerns, Sarita thought that it was nothing serious. Her husband and children suggested she should go to the hospital for a check-up to ease their worries. But Sarita, still thinking it was nothing more than gas, refused.

That night, while preparing dinner, Sarita began experiencing chest pain that radiated to her jaw and shoulder. Again, she attributed it to indigestion and took more medicine. However, her husband wasn’t convinced. He insisted that she go to the hospital to rule out any underlying issues. Feeling tired and weary, Sarita dismissed his concerns, telling him she just needed to rest.

The next morning, Sarita’s condition worsened. She finally agreed to go to the hospital for a check-up, where the doctors performed an ECG test on her. The ECG results confirmed that Sarita was indeed suffering from a heart attack.

Thanks to the quick medical intervention and accurate diagnosis from the medical team, Sarita was treated promptly. She was lucky, but many women ignore these symptoms, putting their lives in danger.

This case serves as a reminder that heart attack signs may manifest differently in women compared to men. Both men and women often experience chest pain or discomfort as the most common symptom of a heart attack. However, women may also encounter other symptoms that are less commonly linked to heart attacks, such as shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the back or jaw. Additionally, women are more likely to overlook these symptoms.

Prioritize Women’s Heart Health

It’s essential that women understand that their hearts deserve attention, too. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, yet many women are unaware of the risks they face. One reason is that women’s heart health is often not discussed as much as men’s, and women may be less likely to recognize symptoms that don’t fit the stereotypical image of a heart attack. Women must pay attention to their bodies and seek medical attention when something doesn’t feel right, rather than just thinking that it's just or something minor.

This Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the heart health of women and recognize that their hearts are just as vulnerable as men’s. Let’s encourage women to prioritize their health, listen to their bodies, and advocate for themselves. Early intervention can save lives, and no one should ignore the possibility of a heart attack, especially when symptoms don't fit the traditional mold.

Sarita’s story ended well because her husband insisted she get medical attention. But for many women, heart disease is diagnosed too late. The earlier heart disease is detected, the more effective treatment can be, and the greater the chance of survival.

Let’s continue to spread awareness and ensure that women everywhere understand the importance of heart health. It’s time to make heart disease a priority in women’s health—because women’s hearts matter.