As Heart Week 2025 approaches (May 5–11), Australians are being encouraged to take a closer look at their heart health, with a particular focus on the risks faced by women. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of illness and death among Australian women, surpassing even breast cancer in fatalities each year. Alarmingly, nearly every hour, one Australian woman dies from heart disease, and research indicates that women tend to experience worse outcomes after a heart attack than men.
Natalie Raffoul, Senior Manager of Healthcare Programs and Clinical Strategy at the Heart Foundation, stresses that while chest pain remains the most common symptom of a heart attack for both genders, women are more likely to experience less typical signs. These can include shortness of breath, nausea, pain radiating down the arms or jaw, dizziness, and sweating. However, these symptoms are often overlooked or not recognized as quickly, leading to delays in treatment.
“We know that women’s heart attack symptoms are less likely to be acknowledged and treated promptly,” said Raffoul. “This delay in accessing care can result in worse health outcomes, including higher rates of mortality and complications compared to men.”
The reasons for these disparities remain complex and require further research, Raffoul notes. Factors such as under-recognition of symptoms, delays in hospital admission, and potential differences in how women respond to heart attack treatments could all contribute. She emphasizes that historical underrepresentation of women in clinical trials has hindered a deeper understanding of these issues.
In response, the Heart Foundation advocates for more inclusive research, specifically targeting how women experience and respond to heart disease treatments. Raffoul also highlights several health conditions and life events that increase women’s vulnerability to cardiovascular disease, including complications from pregnancy such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Both conditions significantly raise the risk of heart disease, with some studies showing lasting effects even years after pregnancy.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and early menopause also contribute to a heightened risk of cardiovascular conditions due to hormonal changes that impact cholesterol levels and overall heart health. Despite these unique risks, traditional heart disease factors—such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and obesity—remain prevalent among women as well.
To coincide with Heart Week, the Heart Foundation is urging Australians over the age of 45 to take advantage of Medicare-subsidized heart health checks, which are available to certain high-risk groups, including First Nations people from the age of 30 and those living with diabetes from the age of 35. Raffoul emphasizes that women with a history of pregnancy complications, PCOS, or early menopause should consider seeing a healthcare professional sooner.
“The importance of regular check-ups cannot be overstated,” Raffoul says. “Many people understand the severity of heart disease but often don’t recognize how personally relevant it is to them until it’s too late.”
Despite this, only about half of eligible adults in Australia undergo regular screenings for risk factors. The Heart Foundation encourages all Australians to prioritize their heart health and take proactive steps toward prevention.
For more information about Heart Week and resources such as the heart age calculator, visit the Heart Foundation’s website.
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