Regions such as your heart, blood vessels, and blood.
HEART ATTACK
A blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. In women, heart attacks often involve smaller arteries and may not show major blockages on imaging.
Symptoms
Treatments
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme fatigue (days or weeks before)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Jaw, neck, shoulder, or upper back pain
• Chest pressure or tightness
• Lightheadedness
• Lifestyle changes
• Emergency clot-dissolving drugs
• Angioplasty and stent placement
• Blood thinners
• Beta blockers
• Long-term cholesterol control
How Dangerous Is It?
Life-threatening emergency. Women are more likely than men to die within one year after their first heart attack.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Chronically elevated blood pressure that strains the heart and blood vessels.
Symptoms
Treatments
• Typically asymptomatic
• Severe cases may lead to headaches or vision changes
• Lifestyle changes
• Blood pressure medications
• Sodium reduction
• Regular monitoring
How Dangerous Is It?
Major risk factors for stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. Risk increases sharply after menopause.
HEART FAILURE
The heart cannot pump blood effectively. Women more commonly develop heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Symptoms
Treatments
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in legs
• Exercise intolerance
• Diuretics
• Blood pressure control
• Heart medications
• Lifestyle management
How Dangerous Is It?
Chronic and progressive. Can become life-threatening.
STROKE
Blocked or ruptured blood vessels in the brain.
Symptoms
Treatments
• Sudden confusion
• Weakness on one side
• Severe headache
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• General weakness
• Clot-busting drugs
• Emergency procedures
• Rehabilitation therapy
How Dangerous Is It?
Major risk factors for stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. Risk increases sharply after menopause.
PREECLAMPSIA
Pregnancy-related high blood pressure with organ damage.
Symptoms
Treatments
• High blood pressure
• Severe headaches
• Vision changes
• Swelling
• Upper abdominal pain
• Close monitoring
• Blood pressure medication
• Early delivery if severe
How Dangerous Is It?
Can be fatal for the mother and the baby. Also increases lifelong heart disease risk.