Early signs of heart disease in women resemble anxiety

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Chronic anxiety and unexplained early fatigue can, in some cases, be manifestations of early heart disease that is less recognised, particularly in women.

Writing for Hindustan Times, on Wednesday (4/3) an interventional cardiologist at Saifee Hospital, Dr Mustafa Taskeen, said that women have unusual heart symptoms that differ from those in men, with some even resembling psychological symptoms.

Symptoms in women are often not typical and heart-related issues do not always present as severe, stabbing chest pain.

‘Persistent fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, sleep disturbances, breathlessness, or a vague feeling of discomfort can precede a cardiac event for weeks or even months,’ the cardiologist explained.

He said anxiety often arises from physical sensations. Microvascular angina symptoms related to the heart, such as extreme fatigue, breathlessness, chest discomfort, and unusual bodily sensations, can closely resemble anxiety.

‘The relationship between chronic anxiety and heart disease is bidirectional as well,’ emphasised Dr Taskeen.

In this condition, smaller coronary arteries do not function properly, even though the major arteries may appear normal on standard tests such as angiography. Symptoms are also more common in women, particularly around or after menopause.

While psychological factors play a role, anxiety is also a bodily response to subtle changes in heart function.

Translator: Fitra Ashari