Heart Health in Women and the Symptoms our Toronto Women’s Clinic Wants You to Know

Heart disease is often misunderstood as a men’s health issue, but it is one of the leading causes of death for women in Canada. Women may experience different symptoms than men, and these symptoms can sometimes be overlooked or misinterpreted.

Key facts about women’s heart health in Canada

• Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of premature death in Canadian women
• Women are more likely to experience atypical heart attack symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, or back and jaw pain
• Women tend to spend more years living with poor health or disability related to heart disease compared to men
• Increasing awareness, improving research, and encouraging preventive care are critical steps in closing the women’s heart health gap.

Take charge of your heart health! Click here to complete a quick risk assessment.

Common Heart Disease Symptoms Women Should Know:

- Chest pain or discomfort – this can feel like a pressure, tightness, heaviness, squeezing, burning, or gripping pain or discomfort

- Pain radiating from the chest to the neck, jaw, left arm, back, and/or stomach

- Stomach pain or discomfort, or feelings of indigestion

- Unusual shortness of breath

- Unusual or extreme fatigue

- Dizziness or light headedness

- An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

- Nausea and/or vomiting

Uncommon Symptoms That Women Should Never Ignore:

- Pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, back, and/or stomach – but not in the chest

- Flu-like symptoms

- Generalized scared or anxiety feeling

- Generalized weakness

- Unusual sweating

What can you do? When in doubt, check it out! Never delay getting help for your symptoms.

Taking care of your heart is a lifelong commitment, but it doesn’t require drastic changes. With balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and awareness especially around women’s heart health, Canadians can take meaningful steps toward healthier, longer lives.

A healthy heart supports everything we do. Small choices today can lead to stronger hearts tomorrow.

Helpful Canadian Heart Health Resources

For more information and support, consider these trusted resources:

• Heart &Stroke Foundation of Canada – www.heartandstroke.ca‍
• Government ofCanada: Heart Disease Information – www.canada.ca/heart-health
• Canadian Women’sHeart Health Alliance (CWHHA) – http://www.cwhha.ca/

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