Angina Symptoms in Women

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Women can experience angina symptoms that differ from those seen in men. Instead of typical chest pain, women may feel fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, or pain in the back, jaw, or stomach. These subtler signs often lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Early detection is crucial to prevent heart attacks and improve outcomes.

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What Is Angina?

Angina pectoris, commonly known as angina, occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen. This usually happens because of atherosclerosis, where fat and calcium build up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them. When blood flow becomes restricted during physical exertion or stress, oxygen supply decreases — causing pain or discomfort in the chest.

Typical Symptoms in Men – and How They Differ for Women

In men, angina typically causes a clear, pressing pain in the center of the chest that may radiate to the left arm. The pain usually appears with exertion and eases with rest or nitroglycerin.

Women, however, often experience less typical symptoms, which can make angina harder to recognize. Their discomfort is sometimes mistaken for indigestion, stress, or even a viral infection.

Angina Symptoms in Women

Women’s angina symptoms may include:

• Pressure, burning, or tightness in the chest – but not always in the center

• Pain or discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, stomach, or arms

• Shortness of breath, even with mild exertion

• Nausea or stomach pain

• Unusual fatigue, sometimes days before chest pain occurs

• Dizziness or a feeling of weakness

• Cold sweats without an obvious cause

These symptoms can be brief or mild, which means they are often ignored or misinterpreted — both by the patient and healthcare providers.

Why Do Symptoms Differ?

Several factors explain why women and men experience angina differently:

1. Anatomical differences – Women often have smaller coronary arteries and more microvascular dysfunction (microvascular angina).

2. Hormonal effects – Estrogen protects against plaque buildup before menopause, but risk increases significantly afterward.

3. Inflammatory and vascular responses – Women are more likely to experience temporary vessel spasms that cause pain without major blockages.

When to Seek Medical Help

Contact your doctor if you:

• Experience chest pain or discomfort with exertion

• Become short of breath or dizzy without clear cause

• Feel pressure or pain in your upper body that doesn’t go away with rest

If you have severe chest pain, cold sweats, or nausea, call emergency services (112 or 911) immediately — it could be a heart attack.

Prevention and Treatment

Treatment for angina is similar for men and women, but early diagnosis is especially important for women due to atypical symptoms.

Treatment options include:

• Nitroglycerin for quick symptom relief

• Blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications

• Antiplatelet therapy to reduce blood clot risk

• Lifestyle changes – quitting smoking, exercising, healthy eating, and stress management

Angina and the Risk of Falls

People living with angina may experience dizziness, weakness, or shortness of breath, especially during exertion or when taking medication. These symptoms can increase the risk of falls, particularly among older adults.

Losing balance or fainting due to reduced oxygen or low blood pressure can lead to serious injuries. To minimize fall risk:

• Avoid sudden movements when feeling dizzy or weak

• Rest when experiencing chest pain or breathlessness

• Keep the home safe by removing tripping hazards and improving lighting

• Use a personal alarm or safety device to get quick help if needed

A personal safety alarm provides extra peace of mind and ensures that help is always within reach if a fall or fainting episode occurs.

Safety alarm with automatic fall alarm can increase safety for people with an increased risk of falling

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people who have an increased risk of falling. The personal alarm can automatically trigger the alarm in the event of a fall and then call relatives using the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app.