Women’s Heart Care

Key takeaways

  • Women have unique heart disease risk factors, including pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause and certain autoimmune conditions.
  • Heart attack symptoms in women may be more subtle than in men. Recognizing the signs and seeking emergency care quickly can save your life. 
  • NKC Health provides personalized women's heart care, from prevention and screenings to advanced treatment and lifelong cardiovascular care.

Though heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, many still don’t realize their risk. NKC Health is dedicated to working with families in the Kansas City community to increase awareness and provide personalized care that supports long-term heart health.

Since women have unique risks tied to pregnancy, menopause and certain autoimmune conditions, and since symptoms can be far more subtle in women than in men, it’s important to have a specialized team. Here, our cardiologists understand these differences and look at the whole picture — your personal and family health history, life stage, symptoms and risk factors — to develop a care plan tailored to your needs.

Symptoms women shouldn’t ignore

Women experience some of the same heart attack symptoms as men, but not all women have chest pain. A woman’s symptoms are often less obvious, too, making it easy for women to overlook them, mistake them for other health conditions or wait to seek medical care.

Schedule an appointment

Take the next step toward better heart health. Call our heart care team at (816) 221-6750 or find a cardiologist near you.

Heart attack symptoms in women can include:

  • Chest pain, pressure or discomfort
  • Heaviness in the back or arms
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain in the jaw, neck or upper back
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unusual fatigue

You know your body best. If something feels “off,” pay attention and don’t wait to get care.

If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Getting treatment as soon as possible can save your life.

Your heart health partner through every stage of life

A woman's heart health changes throughout her life. Hormonal changes, pregnancy and aging can all affect your cardiovascular health and influence your risk for heart disease. Understanding these changes, and having a trusted health care provider, can help you take steps to protect your heart, no matter your age.

During pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, your heart works harder to support your baby. Women who have certain heart-related conditions while pregnant are more at risk of developing heart disease in the future. These conditions include:

  • Gestational hypertension, high blood pressure during pregnancy
  • Peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare form of heart failure during pregnancy
  • Preeclampsia, a life-threatening condition that typically occurs in the later weeks of pregnancy

During perimenopause and menopause

As you move through perimenopause and menopause, your body produces less estrogen, a hormone that helps protect your heart and blood vessels. As estrogen levels decline, blood vessels become less flexible, cholesterol and blood sugar levels can rise and fat is more likely to collect around the abdomen. Together, these changes can increase your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

Perimenopause and menopause also can affect your sleep and overall metabolism, making it even more important to pay attention to your heart health. Regular screenings and healthy lifestyle habits can help identify changes early and lower your risk over time.

Our services

Whether you’re looking to understand your risk, manage a heart condition or recover after a cardiac event, we’re ready to help. From prevention and early detection to advanced treatment and recovery, our cardiovascular specialists provide the expert care women need to protect their heart health for a lifetime.

Our services include:

Expert care for better heart health

As a Comprehensive Cardiac Center certified by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association, NKC Health provides advanced, innovative, compassionate care close to home.

Women’s hearts are different. Your care should be, too. We’re here to help you protect your heart through every life stage.

Related reading

Until recently, few studies focused on women’s heart conditions and care. While there’s still a knowledge gap about heart disease in women, we know more now than ever. Our team is committed to prioritizing women’s heart care in our community and beyond — and work tirelessly to stay current with the latest research, technologies and treatments. 

People also ask

How can women lower their risk for heart disease?
Many risk factors for heart disease can be managed. Regular checkups, heart health screenings, physical activity, a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco all help protect your heart. Women also should discuss their pregnancy history, menopause symptoms and family history with their healthcare provider, since these factors can influence cardiovascular risk.

How often should women have their heart health checked?
Your screening schedule depends on your age, health history and risk factors. Your primary care provider or cardiologist can recommend when to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar and whether additional testing is appropriate.

What health conditions increase a woman's risk for heart disease?
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity are common risk factors for everyone. Women also have unique risk factors, including pregnancy-related complications, early menopause and certain autoimmune diseases.

When should women see a cardiologist?
You may benefit from seeing a cardiologist if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of heart disease or symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or unexplained fatigue. You also should talk with your primary care provider if you've experienced heart-related complications during pregnancy or have concerns about your heart health during menopause.