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Heart disease is a leading cause of illness and death among women in the United States, with women of color affected more often that White women. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), cardiovascular disease affects more than 47 percent of African American women in the U.S., who have a higher risk of hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease than any other demographic group among women.

The development of these health conditions is strongly influenced by social factors such as access to healthy food, access to healthcare, and access to information and education about heart disease. When preventative care is delayed or unavailable, cardiovascular risk factors often go untreated for years, allowing heart disease programs to progress silently.

Symptoms to Look Out For

Heart disease in women does not always present with classic symptoms. Many women experiene subtle or gradually worsening signs, which can be overlooked. Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing with activities such as walking or climbing a flight of stairs.
• Chest pain or discomfort: Chest pain with exertion that improves with rest, or pain that occurs at rest. Frequently, pain from the heart is not even felt in the chest, but rather in the back, upper abdomen, or neck.
• Orthopnea: Inability to breath comfortably while lying flat at night or awakening suddenly with shortness of breath.
• History of hypertension or diabetes: Both of these conditions can significantly increase the risk of heart disease.
• Palpitations: Sensation of a racing heart, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat.
• Lower extremity edema: Swelling of the feet, ankles, or calves.

Complications of Heart Disease

If left untreated, heart disease can lead to serious complications, including:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Peripheral artery disease

Early detection and management are critical to preventing these outcomes.

What to Do If You Are Having Symptoms of Heart Disease

• Do not ignore your symptoms. Many symptoms develop gradually but worsen over time. Early detection saves lives.
• Follow up regularly with a primary care physician. Ongoing monitoring of blood pressure, labs, and imaging helps detect heart disease early and manage it effectively.
• Adopt heart-healthy habits when possible, including eating a balanced diet and exercising at least three times per week.
• Stop smoking. Use of nicotine containing substances, including cigarettes and vaping, can significantly increase the risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and cancer.
• Take chronic disease medications as prescribed. Conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can worsen heart disease if not well controlled. Contact your physician if you have questions about your medications or control of these conditions.
• Seek emergency care immediately if you experience chest pain radiating to the upper back, jaw, neck, or shoulder, or if you develop severe shortness of breath at rest. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Your family physician and the health care team at Chestnut Family Health Center offer a range of treatment options to manage and prevent heart disease. Treatment plans are tailored to you and your needs using medication, holistic remedies, and other recommendations to ensure your health is a top priority.

Learn more about heart health at "Tiny Changes, Mighty Hearts," a free seminar on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 12 - 1 p.m. at Chestnut Family Health Center, 702 W. Chestnut St., Bloomington, IL. Free blood pressure checks will be provided to attendees, along with a light lunch. Register today at www.tinyurl.com/tiny-changes.

Call 888.924.3786 or request an appointment at Chestnut Family Health Center today!