Call for women to remain vigilant over ‘silent’ health disorder

Being tired can mean more than just a bad night's sleep

The biggest killer of women in Australia is not what you may think. Image: Unsplash

Microvascular disorders are silently affect thousands, and now cardiology experts want Aussie women to be on alert for symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, sleep problems, fatigue, and lack of energy.

Dr Monique Watts, a cardiologist and heart failure specialist, and the founder of The Alfred's Women's Heart Clinic says cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death for Australian women. What's more, it's time we took more notice of the sometimes silent symptoms that women typically pass off as the effects of everyday life. 

Ask any Australian women if she's tired, she'll tell you yes. Not sleeping? Lacking energy? Fatigued? These are all the side effects of microvascular disorders, a type of coronary heart disease that are caused by disease of the very small blood vessels of the heart. Symptoms also include chest pain and shortness of breath.

Put simply, go and see your GP.

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"Heart disease is a leading killer of Australian women, yet women don't perceive themselves to be at risk. This means missed opportunity in terms of prevention and early intervention," she tells Body+Soul.

Dr Watts says the nature of undiagnosed microvascular disease is critical, and in most cases it can be life changing for a patient to have an answer and an explanation for why they're feeling the way they are. 

Heart disease is deadly. Image: Unsplash

"It's not a benign condition," she explains. "There's solid evidence that these patients have increased adverse cardiac outcomes compared with a healthy population. We know these patients do worse which is why a diagnosis is important. Not only does a diagnosis stop the cycle of constant testing, emergency department presentations and hospitalisations, but it provides us with a sound indication for treatment to improve symptoms, quality of life and prevent premature death."

February marks REDFEB, which is an annual campaign to raise awareness and funds for heart disease lead by Heart Research Australia.

Early detection is key. Image: Unsplash

Dr Watts is dedicated to improving outcomes in women with heart disease and raising awareness about the impact of heart disease on Australian women, in particular the fact that heart disease in women can look very different to heart disease in men.

Originally published as Call for women to remain vigilant over ‘silent’ health disorder