Heart Disease in Women Causes and Risk Factors: diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity | National Heart Centre Singapore
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Women’s Heart Disease

Women’s Heart Disease - How to prevent?

Women’s Heart Disease - Causes and Risk Factors

Risk Factors


  • Diabetes
    Diabetes and prediabetes raise the risk of coronary artery disease more in women than in men. In fact, having diabetes almost doubles a woman’s risk of developing heart disease.

  • High blood pressure
    High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) usually occurs without any symptoms. Women who have blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg are at increased risk for coronary artery disease. A normal healthy blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. 

    Learn more on managing your high blood pressure here.

  • High cholesterol
    High cholesterol also occurs without any symptoms, and even skinny women can have high cholesterol. The build-up of excess cholesterol causes narrowing of the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart.

  • Obesity
    People who have excess body fat – especially located around the waist – are more prone to developing heart disease and stroke. Overweight women are 55% more at risk of developing heart disease than men.

  • Smoking
    Smokers have two to three times the risk of non-smokers for sudden cardiac death. Female smokers are twice as likely as male smokers to have a heart attack.

  • Psychosocial factors
    Depression is twice more prevalent in women with heart attacks. Acute stress is associated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as ‘broken heart syndrome’, especially in women.

Women’s Heart Disease - Diagnosis

Women’s Heart Disease - Preparing for surgery

Women’s Heart Disease - Post-surgery care

The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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