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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are there differences in treating heart disease in men and women?

    Related Topics
    Atrial Fibrillation Cardiology & Vascular Health Congenital Heart Disease
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    Dr Bennett Franjic

    Cardiologist (Heart Specialist)

    Dr Bennett Franjic is a General Cardiologist with expertise in Echocardiography. He has special interest in Cardiomyopathy, Valvular Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension and Stress Echocardiography. Dr … View Profile

    There are definitely differences in the expression of heart disease between men and women.
    Research is ongoing, but it is not clear if it is just Hormonal or something else.
    Recent research suggests that the Mosaic nature of the sex genes may be able to explain this.

    On average, women are less likely to have coronary artery obstruction to explain the chest pain or heart attack. It may be thrombosis or microvascular disease, or coronary dissection. Immune diseases are also more common in women.

    It is important to investigate women for obstructive coronary disease, but as the possibility of normal arteries is higher, it may be useful to perform a CT Coronary Angiogram first. Obviously, Specialist advice regarding the specific situation is valuable.

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    Kaitlin Edin

    Acupuncturist

    Kaitlin Edin has been in practice since 2009 and has worked in a variety of clinical situations including group and private practice; as well as … View Profile

    “Just hormonal”? Perhaps only a cardiologist would have said that? (She says with a smile)
    As I understand it, oestrogen may play a role in being cardioprotective for women. As women tend to present later (older) than men.
    Research also seems to suggest that women's symptoms and manifestation of heart attack (when indeed they do suffer them) tends to be different to men. And can be often missed by women and their doctors.
    I am most interested in gender differences in expression of cardiac problems, so thanks for your post.

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    Anonymous

    I was diagnosed as having had a heart. Attack when I went to the doctor and, said I think there's something wrong with my heart.   It left me with af that starts and stops and a weakened heart muscle.   However tests showed only a 30 percent blockage in arteries.   After reading up on women's heart attacks I could remember and identify when it occurred.
    nobody has been able to tell me why I had a heart attack.   I am on medication to control heart beat and rhythm, but would like to know why me?

     DS

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