By Dr Meneka Kumaran, Medical Doctor (M.D., MBA)
When women think about their health, concerns such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and menopause often come to mind. However, one of the biggest health threats facing women continues to be overlooked — heart disease.
Despite being widely perceived as a condition that primarily affects men, cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 17.9 million deaths annually, representing nearly one-third of all global deaths.
In Malaysia, the burden is equally concerning. Ministry of Health data shows that deaths due to heart disease among women are 1.5 times higher than deaths caused by cancer, yet awareness of cardiovascular risk remains relatively low.
One reason heart disease is frequently missed in women is because symptoms often differ from the classic warning signs commonly associated with heart attacks.
While chest pain remains the most common symptom, women may also experience unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, pain in the jaw, neck, shoulder or upper back, sleep disturbances and a general feeling of being unwell.
These symptoms are often mistaken for stress, exhaustion, menopause or other non-cardiac conditions, causing some women to delay seeking medical attention.
Hormonal changes also play a significant role. Before menopause, women generally have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease due to the protective effects of oestrogen. However, as oestrogen levels decline, changes in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, body fat distribution and insulin sensitivity can increase the risk of heart disease.
Modern lifestyles are further compounding the problem. Many women juggle demanding careers, family responsibilities and caregiving roles, often placing their own health last. Poor sleep, chronic stress, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits can silently increase cardiovascular risk over time.
Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol frequently develop without obvious symptoms and are often detected only during routine health screenings.
This is why regular heart health screening is essential. Simple assessments of blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol levels, weight and family medical history can help identify risk factors long before symptoms appear.
The encouraging news is that many cardiovascular risk factors are preventable. The World Heart Federation estimates that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke cases can be avoided through healthy lifestyle choices and effective management of risk factors.
Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking and vaping, managing stress, prioritising quality sleep and attending routine health screenings can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.
Women are often the caregivers in their families and communities, but protecting the health of others starts with protecting their own. Understanding the risks and acting early can help prevent heart disease before it becomes life-threatening.
Heart disease may be silent, but its impact is profound. Prioritising heart health today could be one of the most important decisions a woman makes for her future.
