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Why Female Heart Disease Is Totally Different
Jackie Dallas MD
October 22, 2026
We all know the scene: a man suddenly clutches his chest, winces in excruciating pain, and collapses. Movies and medical dramas have reinforced this image for generations, leading millions of people to believe that heart disease looks, feels, and acts the exact same way in everyone. The reality, however, is strikingly different for women. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women worldwide, but because the field of cardiology was largely modeled around male anatomy and male presentation, when women experience heart issues, the warning signs, and even the onset of the disease can often be missed. Understanding these differences is an important step toward better self-advocacy, timely diagnosis, and saving lives.
