Women’s heart specialists focus on the unique ways heart disease can affect women.

At Baptist Health’s Women’s Heart Program, specialists understand differences in risk factors, symptoms and health challenges and tailor evaluation and care accordingly.

Certain pregnancy-related conditions can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.

These include:

• High blood pressure
• Preeclampsia
• Gestational diabetes

No. Menopause does not directly cause heart disease.

However, risk factors often increase during and after menopause, making it an important time to focus on heart health and prevention.

Many heart failure symptoms are similar in women and men.

Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the ankles or legs
• Weight changes

Women may be more likely to experience swelling, difficulty exercising or shortness of breath with activity. The most common causes can differ as well. Plaque buildup in the arteries is a common cause in men, while high blood pressure and heart valve disease are more common causes in women.

Heart attack symptoms can vary, and women may be more likely to experience symptoms that are not always recognized as a heart attack.

Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain, pressure or fullness
• Cold sweats
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Indigestion

In addition to chest pain, women may also experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Shoulder, back or arm pain
• Unusual fatigue or weakness
• Upset stomach