Women's hearts

To better understand a heart condition, you should first understand how the heart works and how common heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure, occur.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

CAD typically affects women in their late 50’s or 60’s - about 10 years later than men. Heart disease often is thought of as a bigger problem for men than for women. However, in every year since 1984, heart disease has claimed the lives of more women than men. See more information about coronary artery disease.

Heart failure

From the 1950s to the 1990s, the number of women with heart failure declined by one-third. But from 1979 to 2000, deaths due to heart failure increased 148 percent, especially among women in older age groups. Find out more about this condition and its symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation occurs more often in men than women, but the gap closes with advancing age. Atrial fibrillation increases risk of stroke and death in both sexes; however, women in particular (especially those over age 75) may be at increased risk for embolism (blockage of a blood vessel caused by a blood clot) and death.

• Studies show that warfarin (a medication that prevents blood clots) reduces the risk of stroke in women with atrial fibrillation by 84 percent, compared to 60 percent in men.