Tests for heart and circulatory conditions
Tests are used to diagnose a heart condition or to see how healthy your heart is. Find out what to expect from some of the most common tests.
Men and women mostly share the same heart attack symptoms. But women sometimes experience lesser known symptoms rather than chest pain.
This difference can delay care, which is why it’s important to know the other symptoms that can be related to a heart attack.
A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart muscle gets blocked. The longer this goes on for, the more risk of lasting damage to your heart. Any worrying symptoms should be checked as soon as possible.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women
Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person but the most common signs of a heart attack are:
- Pain or discomfort in your chest that happens suddenly and does not go away. It may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing. It can feel similar to heartburn.
- Pain that spreads from your chest to your left or right arm, or to your neck, jaw, back or stomach.
- Feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or like you cannot breathe.
Other less common symptoms include:
- a sudden feeling of anxiety, like a panic attack
- lots of coughing or wheezing
- severe tummy (stomach) cramps.
You may experience just one or a combination of these symptoms.
What should I do if I think I'm having a heart attack?
It’s important to know the warning signs of a heart attack and get medical help right away. Do not worry about asking for help. A heart attack is a medical emergency and fast treatment can save your life and protect your heart from serious damage.
You should:- call 999 for an ambulance
- sit down and stay calm
- chew 300mg aspirin if you have it and you're not allergic
- wait for the ambulance.
Do as many women have heart attacks as men?
In the UK women have roughly half the number of heart attacks as men, but it is still a major health problem for women.
Coronary heart disease, the main cause of heart attacks, kills twice as many women as breast cancer in the UK each year, and was the single biggest killer of women worldwide in 2023.
Despite this, it’s often considered a man’s disease. There are more than 800,000 women in the UK living with coronary heart disease. It’s estimated that around half of them have survived a heart attack.
- Read about our global research programme called VISIBLE from Wellcome Leap, jointly funded by Pivotal to improve women's heart health.
What increases my risk of a heart attack?
Knowing what puts you at risk of a heart attack may help you to watch out for related symptoms.
Your risk of a heart attack is increased by:
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- diabetes
- smoking
- being overweight
- not doing enough physical activity.
Other risk factors that affect women include:
The more risk factors you have, the higher your overall risk. Before menopause women in general have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease. But after the menopause, your risk increases.
If you’re transgender, you may have a higher risk of coronary heart disease. If you’re worried about your risk speak to your GP. Learn more about latest research and tips on how to manage your risk.
How can I reduce my risk of having a heart attack?
There is a lot you can do to reduce your risk factors, such as:
- stopping smoking
- getting active
- eating healthily
- maintaining a healthy weight
- limiting alcohol
- reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Get tips and advice on healthy living.
We recommend that all women over the age of 40 visit their local GP or nurse for an NHS Health Check to check their heart health and risk factors. This will include having your blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels tested. If you're aged 40 to 74 and living in England, you can ask for an NHS Health Check. If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland speak to your GP about a health check.
Your doctor should invite you to review your risk every five years, but you can also just make an appointment yourself to check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Knowing these numbers and taking action if needed can reduce your risk of developing heart and circulatory problems.
If you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, make sure you tell your doctor or nurse. You're considered to have a family history if either:
- Your father or brother was under the age of 55 when diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
- Tour mother or sister was under the age of 65 when diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
Women and heart attack stories
In our podcast series, The Ticker Tapes, journalist Lucy Mangan talks to three women about what it's like to have a heart attack. From mental health to marriage, and sex to spirituality, there is no stone left unturned in these frank, funny and emotional conversations. Listen on Spotify or Apple music.
- 'I should have pushed to go to hospital sooner' - read Nicola's story.
- 'The advice had actually been to call 999, but I did not want to make a fuss' - read how Helen was in disbelief when she found out she was having a heart attack.
Heart Helpline and other support
- Speak to our cardiac nurses on our Heart Helpline by phone, callback, email or online chat (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
- Speak to others with heart conditions by joining a support group or online community.
- Sign up to our Heart Matters magazine for health information, inspiration and expert support.
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Treatments for heart and circulatory conditions
You may be having planned or emergency treatment. We explain what to expect, how it will help and what will happen afterwards.
Support
Being diagnosed, or living with a heart or circulatory condition can be overwhelming, but we're here to help.