Home WHY CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS AFFECT WOMEN DIFFERENTLY THAN MEN
Women generally have higher heart rates and smaller hearts and arteries than men. This means that when it comes to heart disease, plaque builds differently within women’s blood vessels.
Female hormones can also make arteries smaller, causing them to be more prone to blood clots or blockages and more difficult to repair.
Women can show different symptoms of a heart attack. For both men and women, the most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort, but women can experience a heart attack without chest symptoms. They may experience shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue. Because symptoms in women can be less specific, they can be harder to recognize as danger signs.
Women may also experience different mental and neurological symptoms when they experience a blood vessel related injury to the brain such as a TIA (mini-stroke) – a problem in the blood vessels of the brain that causes a temporary decrease in blood flow to a certain brain region. Because women and men’s brains and blood vessels are slightly different in form and function, stroke and TIA symptoms can vary widely in women compared to men, depending on the part of the brain that is affected.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the following are true, when comparing cardiovascular health between women and men:
Explaining why these differences exist and what can be done to address them requires more research.
Some risk factors are a red flag for women. While men and women share most of the same risk factors, some of them, such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a family history of heart disease or stroke, may pose an even greater threat for women than for men. It’s also believed that estrogen protects against heart complications, but once estrogen levels drop during menopause, the risk of heart disease within women rises. And as women age they are more likely to have other conditions, such as diabetes, that can further increase risk and complicate a diagnosis.
Knowing your risk factors is the first step in prevention. For example, you can reduce your risk by having regular medical checkups and focusing on treatable risk factors like:
It’s also important to be aware of non-treatable risk factors like age, gender, race, and family history as they will play a role in determining an individual patient’s risk for heart disease and stroke. If you are unsure, speak to your health care practitioner about your risk factors, and possible lifestyle changes and regular screening options that can help lower your risk.
An exercise stress test and myocardial perfusion imaging are medical imaging tests that can evaluate heart function. For a detailed look at coronary arteries, your doctor might also order computed tomography imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging can be requested to look at the blood vessels in the brain and for signs of a stroke.
Please visit these links for more information on signs of a stroke and signs of a heart attack.
REFERENCES
American Heart Association. (2022) “Stroke Risk Factors.” www.strokeassociation.org. Accessed January 29, 2022.
Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre (2022) “What makes women different?” www.cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca. Accessed January 29, 2022.
Harvard Medical School (2022) “Don’t be fooled by TIA symptoms.” www.health.harvard.edu. Accessed January 29, 2022.
Heart and Stroke Foundation (2020) “A fighting chance: 2020 Spotlight on Women.” www.heartandstroke.ca. Accessed January 29, 2022.
Heart and Stroke Foundation (2022) “Emergency signs.” www.heartandstroke.ca. Accessed January 29, 2022.
Heart and Stroke Foundation (2022) “Signs of stroke.” www.heartandstroke.ca. Accessed January 29, 2022.
Our Refresh newsletter delivers the latest medical news, expert insights, and practical tips straight to your inbox, empowering you with knowledge to enhance patient care and stay informed.
By subscribing to our newsletter you understand and accept that we may share your information with vendors or other third parties who perform services on our behalf. The personal information collected may be stored, processed, and transferred to a country or region outside of Quebec.
Please read our privacy policy for more details.
At the heart of everything we do is a belief that every image tells a story—and every story deserves care.
At Mayfair Diagnostics, we provide state-of-the-art medical imaging that helps patients and physicians get the clarity they need to make informed decisions about health. From routine check-ups to complex diagnoses, our role is to deliver answers with compassion and accuracy.
We offer a full spectrum of imaging services, including:
MRI, CT, and X-Ray for advanced diagnostic insight
Ultrasound and Mammography for preventative and women’s health
Nuclear Medicine, Bone Density, and Cardiac Imaging for specialized care
Pain Management and Interventional Procedures to improve quality of life
But our work extends beyond exams and equipment. As the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada, we connect urban, rural, and remote communities with expert radiology services—ensuring access to care when and where it’s needed most.
We also partner with local organizations, sports teams, and community groups to keep people healthy and active. From professional athletes to families booking their first screening, our commitment is the same: timely results, advanced technology, and compassionate care.
To improve lives with clarity, compassion, and care—one focused image at a time.
But numbers only tell part of the story. What truly defines us is our culture of compassion. We’re a team of caregivers, innovators, and problem-solvers who share a commitment to excellence. Whether supporting frontline care, developing new technology workflows, or guiding a patient through their appointment, we approach our work with empathy and integrity.
At Mayfair, you’re not just part of a company—you’re part of a community. Together, we’re shaping the future of health care, making advanced imaging accessible, and creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
WHO WE ARE. WHAT WE DO. Why we’re more than a workplace
At Mayfair Diagnostics, we’re caregivers, nurturers, creators and thought leaders—deeply rooted in a passion to help people. We deliver meaningful work, compassionate care, and an environment where every team member can thrive.
Key Points:
Founded on over a century of excellence in medical imaging.
Owned and operated by 50+ radiologists, supported by 400–640+ employees across clinical, technical, administrative, and support roles.
Operating 17 locations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond (14 in Calgary, plus Cochrane, Regina, Saskatoon).
Serving 600,000–700,000 patients annually, delivering over 90,000 radiological interpretations—the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada.
Vision & Mission:
Vision: “A world in which every person has clarity about their health.”
Mission: “To improve people’s lives, one focused image and one caring, compassionate human touch at a time.”