Sunday, September 29, marks Dress Red Day—a vital initiative to spotlight women's heart health. Women's hearts function differently from men's, often leading to overlooked symptoms. Here, real women share their experiences navigating heart challenges.
Tamara (45): "I've experienced monthly palpitations for five years, feeling like my heart is trying to escape my chest. They ease after about five minutes of lying down and breathing exercises. A hospital heart scan showed nothing, so I requested a GP referral to the Heart Clinic for an ultrasound within a week to check further."
Read also: 'Heart for your heart: 3 questions for your doctor'
Wanda (39): "Two years ago, a defect in my heart valve was found, causing a murmur. Shocked at first, I now fully trust my cardiologist and attend check-ups. Post high-cholesterol diagnosis, I'd already adopted a healthier diet, quit smoking, and ramped up exercise. No symptoms yet, so life goes on unchanged."
Claudia (44): "Two years ago at work, hoarseness hit suddenly, followed by dizziness, nausea, sweating, and a pinching pain in my right arm—lasting five minutes. It recurred three times. My doctor found nothing, but soon after, a severe episode struck. I pulled through well, but never let concerns be brushed off."
Renowned cardiologist Janneke Wittekoek dedicates her career to early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women: "Women often feel pain between the shoulder blades—like a too-tight bra—shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue. These are frequently misdiagnosed as PMS or menopause by doctors."
"Research shows women with minimal atherosclerosis experience spasms in smaller vessels, causing intense symptoms that resolve quickly with ambulance meds dilating vessels. Hospital tests then appear normal—no EKG changes, clear vessels. They're sent home to 'rest,' only to return weeks later. Timely recognition and treatment are crucial," Wittekoek explains.
"Most cardiology protocols stem from male-only studies. Treatments effective for men can backfire for women—more side effects, excessive doses leading to early discontinuation, heightening heart attack risk."
"That's why better women's heart education is essential. Early intervention manages risks effectively. Know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI. Get a home monitor or see your doctor. You're fortunate if symptoms are caught—otherwise, the first sign could be a fatal attack. Take charge: report issues immediately," urges Wittekoek.
Text: Fleur Baxmeier
