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Women at risk: Why heart scans are important

How much do you know about heart disease in women? Take our Quick Quiz!




Take a minute to read and answer True or False to each of the following statements:


  1. Cardiovascular (heart) disease is the number one killer of women.

  2. A woman can have a severe heart attack and not know it.

  3. Symptoms of a heart attack can be different for women from men.

  4. After a heart attack, a woman is more likely to die within a year than a man.

  5. Older women with heart disease are more likely to develop dementia.


The correct answer for every question is True. If you didn’t get them all right, you’re not alone.



Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, but it’s often considered to be a “man’s disease,” so women can be under-diagnosed and under-treated.




Heart disease can mean several types of heart conditions. The most common is called coronary artery disease (CAD), which reduces blood flow to the heart because the blood vessels (arteries) that deliver oxygen to the heart become narrowed by plaque. Plaque is made of calcium, cholesterol, other fatty substances, and waste products. It builds up on the walls of the arteries and blocks blood flow, which means less oxygen can be delivered to the heart. Without oxygen, the result is a heart attack. A piece of plaque can also break off and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.



What’s different about heart disease in women



Let’s look deeper into each of the quiz questions:


  1. Cardiovascular (heart) disease is the number one killer of women. Yet only 56% of women are aware that heart disease causes about 1 in every 5 female deaths.(3,4) A lack of knowledge and awareness is a risk factor in itself.(7) A risk factor is something that increases the chances of developing a disease. Risk factors for both women and men include:(4)

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol levels

  • Overweight or obese

  • Smoking

  • Diabetes

  • Unhealthy diet

  • Lack of exercise

  • Excessive alcohol

  • Family history



Women also have additional unique risk factors that can contribute to their having heart disease:


  • Women have smaller arteries than men, so CAD develops differently and may require different treatment.(6)

  • If a woman develops endometriosis, or experiences pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes during a pregnancy, she can be at greater risk for getting heart disease in the future.(6)

  • Changes at menopause, such as increased testosterone levels and high blood pressure, can trigger heart disease.(7)

  • Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, increase the risk of heart disease. About 80% of people with autoimmune diseases are women.(7,8)

  • Stress and depression are both risk factors for heart disease, and both occur more frequently in women.(7)



Heart disease in women is not new. It became the number one killer of American women in 1908 and has remained in first place ever since.(9) It’s also the leading cause of death for women around the world; about 35% of all female deaths are related to cardiovascular disease.(10)


  1. A woman can have a severe heart attack and not know it. Because women aren’t aware of their risk of heart disease, they can experience a severe heart attack without knowing it. This is called a “silent heart attack” and some studies have shown it is more common in women than men.(11) A silent heart attack can happen without any symptoms or maybe some mild symptoms. A woman may tell her health care provider that she’s been feeling extremely tired for a while. Since women tend to take care of others before themselves, they attribute the fatigue to managing a household or working full-time. Both the woman and her health care provider may agree that stress or anxiety is the cause and dismiss it.(11)

Other examples are when a woman reports that she had the flu or that she ate something that caused indigestion. When the health care provider investigates and orders an ECG, the results show the woman had a heart attack weeks or months ago.(11)


  1. Symptoms of a heart attack can be different for women from men. Most people associate a heart attack with crushing chest pain, often described as “an elephant standing on my chest.” For many women experiencing a heart attack, classic symptoms like this don’t always appear. One of the challenges for health care providers is recognizing that women can have different signs and symptoms during a serious heart attack. These can be more subtle than those seen in men; unless the health care provider is familiar with the difference, a woman may not receive a rapid diagnosis and treatment.(7)

While 87% of women experience chest pain or discomfort(12), they may also complain of other symptoms:


  • Pain in the back, between the shoulder blades, or upper abdomen (4,7,12)

  • Pain in the jaw, neck, or throat (4)

  • Shortness of breath (7)

  • Sweating (6)

  • Dizziness or feeling lightheaded (14)

  • Indigestion or acid reflux (7)

  • Nausea and/or vomiting (4)

  • Sudden or extreme fatigue (4)



In a study of adults aged 18 to 55 years who were hospitalized for serious heart attacks, 62% of the women had three or more symptoms besides chest pain, compared to 55% of the men. About 30% of the women had tried to get medical care before they were hospitalized; only 22% of the men did. However, 53% of the women’s health care providers did not think the symptoms were heart-related, compared to 37% of the men.(12)


  1. After a heart attack, a woman is more likely to die within a year than a man. Heart attacks in women are often more severe than men(14), and women spend more time in the hospital following the heart attack.(1,13)

In the first year following their heart attack, women are 50% more likely to die than men.(14) During the first five years, they are almost twice as likely to have another—possibly fatal-heart attack(14) or develop heart failure.(2) One of the reasons women don’t do as well as men is that they average about 10 years older than men when they have their first heart attack, about 72 years-old, compared to 61 years-old for men.(2)




Another reason is that, partly because of the age difference, women have more complicated health histories at the time of their heart attack. Conditions like high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes can contribute to the development of heart failure following the heart attack.(2)




Finally, women don’t always get appropriate care after their heart attack. They are less likely to receive prescriptions for important medications that control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, or prevent blood clots.(2 ,5) Even in the hospital, 84% of men are seen by a cardiovascular specialist, compared to 73% of women.(2)


  1. Older women with heart disease are more likely to develop dementia. Studies have shown that women 65-79 years-old who’d had a heart attack or had developed heart disease were at a higher risk of dementia.16 Women who had survived a heart attack were twice as likely to have issues with thinking and memory.(2)



In a study that lasted 25 years, researchers at Johns Hopkins University studied 16,000 people (both women and men) who were between 44 and 66 years-old when the study began. More than 1,500 people developed dementia. The researchers found a connection between those who had cardiovascular conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.(17) There was also a higher risk for those who had prehypertension (when blood pressure is higher than normal) and those who smoked.(17)




And one other study followed 1,450 women and men for four years. The participants were in their 70s and 80s at the start of the study, without problems in memory or thinking. At the end of the study, 348 people had some mild cognitive impairment, such as difficulty making decisions, finding the right words, or getting around a familiar place. Some experienced memory loss, too.(18) The researchers found that 94 of the participants—27%—had vascular dementia, which is related to some type of cardiovascular condition. Women with heart disease were three times more likely to have this type of dementia than men.(18)





Begin by taking charge of your life



Every woman should keep a record of her blood pressure, cholesterol level, and blood sugar numbers; ideally, you’d begin to do this you’re about 30 years-old. No matter your age, it’s never too late to keep track of these results.




Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also important:(4)


  • regular exercise

  • adequate sleep

  • nutritious diet

  • proper weight

  • not smoking

  • moderate (or no) alcohol

  • managing stress

  • solid work-play balance

During your annual physical appointment, your health care provider will review your medical history and do a risk assessment for heart disease. They look at the laboratory results of your cholesterol and blood sugar, along with your blood pressure. They will compare all of these with your previous numbers to see if there is a new trend.




Your health care provider also considers your gender, age, weight, smoking habit, family history, and overall health to calculate your risk of heart disease and chance of a heart attack.(4) This traditional method is important and helpful in making lifestyle and medication adjustments.



The heart test that may be useful for women



Given the different risk factors and poor outcomes for women after a heart attack, a relatively new test can more precisely determine the risk for heart attack and stroke. Preventing a heart attack or stroke is a thousand times better than treating it. The test that can provide accurate information about risk is called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan. It’s also known as a heart scan, a coronary calcium scan, or a CT calcium score. A CAC can help identify if someone is at risk for heart disease before there are any signs or symptoms. A CAC is a low-dose CT scan that uses special X-ray technology to take thin cross-sectional images of your heart, called slices. When the slices are combined, they create a 3-D look at your heart to measure the plaque deposits in the blood vessels that bring oxygen to the heart.(19)



Plaque is made of cholesterol, calcium, fat, and waste products. It causes deposits in the blood vessels called atherosclerosis. As it builds up, it coats the inner wall of the blood vessels, causing the channel to narrow. When this happens, blood flow is reduced, restricting the amount of oxygen and essential nutrients to the heart and body.(20)




The CAC “looks” at the plaque deposits in the four coronary arteries and assigns a score that tells how much calcium is present. The level of calcium (calcification) in each artery is classified as none, minimal, or moderate. With this score, your health care provider can prescribe an appropriate medication, as well as recommend lifestyle changes that might avoid a heart attack.



A CAC scan increases your health care provider’s ability to go beyond traditional risk factors and work with you to create an individualized treatment plan.



Preparing for your CAC scan with a low-dose CT scan is easy. You can eat and drink up to your appointment time, although you may be asked to avoid any caffeine for 4 to 12 hours before the scan. You can also take your prescribed medications as usual.




Who should get a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan?



The CAC scan isn’t yet part of standard or preventive screenings. But in 2019, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) established guidelines about treating cholesterol levels to avoid building up dangerous plaque in the arteries. The guidelines include using a CAC score to make decisions about medical management.




The CAC recommendations include:(21,22)


  • 40- to 75-year-olds when risk status is uncertain

  • Women 60- to 80-years old and men 55- to 80-years-old with few risk factors but who might benefit from cholesterol-lowering medications (statins)

  • 40- to 55-year-olds who have a 5% to 7.5% risk of developing heart disease within the next 10 years

  • Anyone who is reluctant to take statins and needs an accurate risk profile



Paying for your CAC scan



Check with your health insurance company. Most health insurance plans do not cover a CAC scan. Medicare does not cover it, either. HeartLung™ offers a comprehensive and affordable low-dose CT scan that provides results of the heart scan, as well as several other organs and body areas. During the scan, you’ll be placed in a comfortable position. Small electrodes will be placed on your fingers. The scan itself will take about five minutes, then you’re free to go and resume all your normal activities.




One of the many benefits about a HeartLungTM scan is that after you download the HeartLungTM app on your phone, you answer a few simple health questions, find a convenient location, and schedule your appointment.




Here’s what else is checked during your HeartLung screening scan




When you choose a low-dose CT scan from HeartLungTM you will get much more than the results of your heart scan. Our goal is to prevent disease or identify it in early stages.




We offer an exclusive Auto-10TM scan that will provide ten detailed reports on areas of your body that cannot be evaluated by the usual physical examination or blood tests. At the same time as your heart scan—and with the same safe procedure—we can do an “internal check” and provide the following detailed reports: [Link to Auto-10 descriptions]


  1. Coronary Artery Calcium

  2. Cardiac & Great Vessel Sizes

  3. Lung Cancer Nodule Detection

  4. Emphysema Score & Airway Measurement

  5. Thoracic Fat & Muscle Measurements

  6. Breast Density Measurement

  7. Fatty Liver Disease Detection

  8. Enlarged Lymph Nodes, Thymus & Thyroid

  9. Hiatal Hernia & Esophageal Masses

  10. Bone Mineral Density Measurement



Your HeartLungTM Auto-10TM scans are analyzed using Artificial Intelligence (AI), comparing them to thousands of other CT scans. Then a radiology physician will review them as part of our quality process. The detailed reports you receive are accurate and unbiased.




Another benefit of your HeartLung scan is that the smallest possible dose of radiation is used to obtain all Auto-10TM results. The procedure uses less than 1.5 mSv of radiation, about the same as six months of the background radiation you’re normally exposed to. By avoiding having separate CT scans, your radiation exposure in minimized.





REFERENCES

  1. The Facts about Women and Heart Disease. Go Red for Women. American Heart Association, Dallas, TX. https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts (Accessed 9 September 2021)

  2. Women found to be at higher risk for heart failure and heart attack death than men. Newsroom, Circulation Journal Report. Published November 30, 2020. American Heart Association, Dallas, TX. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/women-found-to-be-at-higher-risk-for-heart-failure-and-heart-attack-death-than-men (Accessed 9 September)

  3. Gaggin H, Oseran A. Gender differences in cardiovascular disease: Women are less likely to be prescribed certain heart medications. Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. Published October 15, 2020. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gender-differences-in-cardiovascular-disease-women-are-less-likely-to-be-prescribed-certain-heart-medications-2020071620553 (Accessed 10 September 2021)

  4. Women and Heart Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Page medically reviewed January 21, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm (Accessed 9 September 2021)

  5. Fernandez J. Women Are Still Less Likely to Be Diagnosed with Heart Disease; Interview with Heather Johnson, MD. Published July 27, 2021. Baptist Health, South Florida.


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  2. Barouch L. Heart Disease: Differences in Men and Women. Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/heart-disease-differences-in-men-and-women (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  3. Orstavik K. Why are autoimmune diseases more prevalent in women? Tidsskr Nor Legeforen 2017: doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.16.0935 https://tidsskriftet.no/en/2017/06/kronikk/why-are-autoimmune-diseases-more-prevalent-women. (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  4. History of heart disease and women. The Karen Yontz Women’s Cardiac Awareness Center, Milwaukee, WI. https://www.karenyontzcenter.org/about-us/history-womens-heart-disease (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  5. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women-here’s how we address it. July 12, 2021. Her Heart LTD, Melbourne, Australia. https://herheart.org/heart-disease-is-the-leading-cause-of-death-in-women-heres-how-we-can-address-it/ (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  6. What is a Silent Heart Attack? Go Red for Women. American Heart Association, Dallas, TX. https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/signs-and-symptoms-in-women/silent-heart-attack-symptoms-risks (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  7. Lichtman J et al. Sex Differences in the Presentation and Perception of Symptoms Among Young Patients with Myocardial Infarction. Circulation. 2018;137:781–790 https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031650 (Accessed by ePub 11 September 2021)

  8. Cho L. Women or Men—Who Has a Higher Risk of Heart Attack? Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/women-men-higher-risk-heart-attack/ (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  9. Women and Heart Disease. Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX. https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/women-and-heart-disease/ (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  10. Heart Disease Linked to Dementia in Women. Go Red for Women. American Heart Association, Dallas, TX. https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts/heart-disease-linked-to-dementia-in-women (Accessed 11 September 2021)

  11. Haring B et al. Cardiovascular Disease and Cognitive Decline in Postmenopausal Women: Results from the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2013, Volume 2, Issue 6. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.113.000369 (Accessed on ePub 11 September 2021)

  12. Risk factors for heart disease linked to dementia. NIH Research Matters. Published on August 15, 2017. National Institutes of Health. (Accessed on 12 September 2021) https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-factors-heart-disease-linked-dementia

  13. Goodman B. Heart Problems Tied to Early Signs of Dementia. Medically reviewed and published January 29, 2013. WebMD Network, New York, NY. https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20130125/heart-problems-dementia (Accessed on 12 September 2021)

  14. Heart scan (coronary calcium score) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/heart-scan/about/pac-20384686?p=1 (Accessed 9 September 2021)

  15. Atherosclerosis and cholesterol. American Heart Association, Dallas, TX. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis (Accessed 13 September 2021)

  16. Blankstein R. 2018 Cholesterol Guideline and the Judicious Use of Coronary Calcium Score: What Does a Cardiologist Need to Know? Published August 21, 2019. American College of Cardiology, Washington DC. https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2019/08/20/11/06/2018-cholesterol-guideline-and-the-judicious-use-of-coronary-calcium-score (Accessed 13 September 2021)

  17. Coronary calcium test could help clarify heart disease risk-and control cholesterol. Published November 13, 2018. American Heart Association, Dallas, TX. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/11/13/coronary-calcium-test-could-help-clarify-heart-disease-risk-and-control-cholesterol (Accessed 9 September 2021)

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