Cardiologist Patrick Withrow, M.D., said diagnosing heart disease in women can be a daunting task.

“Some women with chest pain and other classic heart disease symptoms have not been diagnosed properly, even after angiograms or heart catheterizations,” said Withrow. “Their arteries are smaller than men’s and the plaque in their arteries is smooth, not lumped, as in most men.”

Withrow said sometimes physicians have to treat symptoms of heart disease even when test results appear normal.

Heart disease may be less obvious in women and can include any of the following:

• Tightness in the chest.
• Nausea.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fatigue.
• Pain extending to the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Western Baptist has dedicated a special section to women and heart disease in its new online Heart Care Center at westernbaptist.com. Visit today to learn more about risk factors, symptoms and treatment.