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Maryland Heart Center

The Inequality of Heart Disease

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When it comes to heart disease, men and women are NOT created equally. Though heart disease is the leading killer of both sexes, each year a significantly larger number of women die from it. And to make matters worse, studies suggest that women are far less likely than men to be tested or treated for heart disease in a timely manner.

"More women die of heart disease each year than all types of cancer - plus other diseases combined. Many women fear breast cancer, but the fact is heart disease is 11 times more likely to kill a woman than breast cancer," warns Mandeep Mehra, M.D., Chief, Division of Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center and Herbert Berger Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

At the University of Maryland Heart Center, an expert team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons understand the painful reality that women are just as likely as men to be affected by primary diseases of the heart muscle. Dr. Mehra adds, "Our physicians also understand that women have more heart attacks that go unrecognized, more repeat heart attacks and greater risk of stroke after heart attack."

Symptoms of heart disease vary from gender to gender. Less typical symptoms of heart disease in women can include:

Also, symptoms of a heart attack can differ from men and women. While most men will feel pain or pressure in the left side of their chest, women have more subtle symptoms that could include indigestion, dizziness, nausea, unexplained weakness, fatigue or discomfort between the shoulder blades.

Another example of the inequality of heart disease comes to testing. Some diagnostic tests that are routinely used to detect heart disease in men may be less reliable in women, including the exercise stress test.

All these examples of how heart disease impacts women could leave you discouraged but don't despair. Dr. Mehra reminds us, "Women can reduce their risk of heart disease by not smoking, exercising, and knowing your numbers, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and body mass index. It's important to know that every woman can take action to improve their heart health."


Please call if you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about our services. Patients dial 1-800-492-5538 or 410-328-5842, physicians dial 410-328-6622 or 1-800-318-1019.