Warning signs of ‘silent killer’ disease that poses greater risk to women than breast cancer

Experts have issued a warning over the less commonly recognised symptoms of a 'silent killer' disease that poses a greater risk to women than breast cancer.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among cisgender women in the US, with projections suggesting that the number affected will keep climbing through 2050, surpassing 22 million cases.

The sharpest rise is expected among women aged 20 to 44. Heart attacks are also becoming more deadly for adults under 55, with younger women particularly at risk, even when they don't show traditional risk factors.

Vox reports that public awareness among women on the matter is actually falling, with an American Heart Association survey finding that awareness that heart disease is the top killer of women dropped from 65 percent in 2009 to 44 percent in 2019.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among cisgender women in the United States (Getty Stock Images)

Knowledge about symptoms has also declined, with many women still believing breast cancer is the biggest threat.

Unfortunately, research has long overlooked women, despite scientists knowing for decades now that women experience heart disease differently.

It's also worth noting that women often underestimate their own symptoms, as they are reportedly almost twice as likely as men to assume their chest pain is caused by stress rather than heart disease.

Women face unique heart disease risks that are rooted in their physiology (Getty Stock Images)

Unique heart disease risk factors for women

Women have many of the same heart disease risk factors as men, chiefly obesity, smoking, and diabetes.

But they also face unique risks that are rooted in their physiology, with Vox helpfully outlining:

• Starting your first period before age 12 has been linked to a higher risk of heart problems later in life.
• Irregular periods, which affect about one in five women, are also associated with increased heart risk.
• Pregnancy complications such as hypertension or gestational diabetes can raise the likelihood of developing heart disease in the future.
• Frequent hot flushes or night sweats during menopause have been linked with higher blood pressure and a greater risk of heart issues.
• Women who develop diabetes outside pregnancy are more likely than men with diabetes to go on to develop heart disease.

Having your first period before the age of 12 is associated with a higher risk of heart problems (Getty Stock Images)

Less commonly recognised heart disease symptoms

Women can certainly experience chest pain, pressure, and discomfort, the most well-known heart attack symptoms, but Dr Harmony Reynolds, a cardiologist at NYU-Langone, explains that it's not always as severe as you might expect.

The less commonly recognised symptoms women may experience include:

• pain in the arms and neck
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• stomach pain, including nausea and vomiting
• extreme fatigue

Find out more about heart disease on the official NHS website here.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.