Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, more than all cancers combined. Its warning signs, however, often look very different from what you might expect.

“Women weren’t properly studied in research for decades, and for a long time their symptoms were dismissed,” explains Dr. Nisha D’Mello, cardiologist at Scarborough Health Network (SHN). “Now, cardiology is changing. We know women can have heart disease just as severely as men, but they often present differently. Younger women’s symptoms are sometimes brushed aside.”

Women’s heart symptoms can be subtle or unusual. Instead of classic crushing chest pain, they may experience pressure or heaviness in the lower chest or abdomen and sometimes chest pain is absent altogether. They are more likely to experience nausea, jaw, neck, or upper back discomfort, shortness of breath, fainting, indigestion, or extreme fatigue. Because these symptoms can feel subtle or unrelated to the heart, they are sometimes overlooked, making awareness especially important.

Menopause is a key transition for women’s heart health. As estrogen levels decline, blood pressure and cholesterol can rise, and arteries may stiffen, increasing the risk of heart disease. “Women often develop heart disease about 10 years later than men,” says Dr. D’Mello. On average, women experience their first heart attack around age 72 compared with 64 for men.

Heart attack rates are rising among women aged 35 to 54, driven by increases in high blood pressure, diabetes, and stress. Some risk factors are unique to women, such as:

• Prior pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes

• Early menopause, particularly before age 45

• Autoimmune conditions

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

Heart disease risk is also higher for Scarborough’s South Asian community, which makes up about 25 percent of the population. “Genetics play a role, but lifestyle matters too,” says Dr. D’Mello. “Dietary patterns that rely heavily on fried foods, carbohydrates, and high-fat meals, combined with low physical activity, contribute to more aggressive heart disease.”

This Heart Month, hear from leading cardiac experts at SHN’s HER Health Network event on March 5. Dr. D’Mello will be joined by other specialists and a patient advocate to share practical tips for heart health. Your ticket also helps fund a new cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology lab at SHN, expanding access to world-class care in Scarborough.

Learn more: https://shnfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/herhealthnetwork2026

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