Ask the Expert

Q As a woman, how at risk am I of having a heart attack, and how will I know if I’m experiencing one? Yes, you are at risk – in fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women over 40, especially after menopause. Importantly, though, women’s symptoms may be different from those experienced by men; most women have little or no chest pain, but experience discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, throat or back associated with feelings of nausea and indigestion.

Men, on the other hand, typically experience chest pain or pressure as the most common symptoms, as well as shoulder, upper back or gastric discomfort, jaw pain, shortness of breath, giddiness and sweating.

In addition to knowing the signs to look out for, it’s important to be proactive by visiting your cardiologist for a heart health screening to assess your current heart condition and your risk profile. It’s recommended that women see a cardiologist at 50, or after the start of menopause.

However, you could consider cardiac screening at an earlier age, such as 45, if you have other cardiac risk factors like diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol), or if you smoke or have a strong family history of cardiovascular disease. The Harley Street Heart & Cancer Centre

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