Picture this: Fatima, a 48-year-old professional in Dubai, has been feeling unusually tired for weeks. One morning, she experiences nausea, dizziness, and an odd ache in her upper back. She considers skipping work but assumes it’s just stress. Later that day, she collapses. At the hospital, tests reveal she has had a heart attack – without ever feeling the “classic” crushing chest pain we so often hear about.
This is not an isolated story. Across the UAE, many women are experiencing heart problems that are misread, delayed in diagnosis, or attributed to less serious causes. The consequences can be life-changing – or even fatal.
Why Women’s Heart Symptoms Often Look Different
For decades, heart disease research and awareness campaigns were largely based on men’s symptoms. As a result, the signs that appear in women are less widely recognised. While chest pain can still be present, women are more likely to experience:
- Shortness of breath, even at rest
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach
- Sudden, unusual fatigue
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Cold sweats
These “atypical” symptoms often resemble flu, indigestion, or anxiety, leading women to delay seeking medical care – and in heart disease, every minute counts.
The UAE’s Unique Risk Landscape
Women in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain face several cardiovascular risk factors that are increasing in prevalence:
- Diabetes – According to UAE health statistics, women with diabetes are up to three times more likely to develop heart disease than those without.
- Sedentary lifestyle – Indoor living, particularly during the hot summer months, limits daily activity.
- Obesity – Rising rates, especially in midlife, place extra strain on the heart.
- Smoking and shisha – Though less common than in men, tobacco and shisha use among young women is growing.
- Stress and work-life balance – Professional and family responsibilities combined with high stress can raise blood pressure and affect heart rhythm.
These factors mean that heart disease is not just a post-menopause concern for women in the UAE – it’s affecting women earlier, sometimes in their 30s and 40s.
The Hormone Factor
Oestrogen provides some protection against heart disease before menopause by helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels and blood vessel flexibility. After menopause, this protective effect drops sharply, and cardiovascular risk rises. In the UAE, where obesity and diabetes are more prevalent, this risk increase can be even more pronounced and occur earlier.
Why Early Detection Matters
The earlier heart disease is detected, the greater the chance of preventing serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure. Early intervention can include:
- Tailored diet and exercise plans
- Blood pressure and cholesterol management
- Blood sugar control for diabetes
- Monitoring heart rhythm and structure with advanced imaging
But all of this depends on recognising early symptoms – and acting on them.
How KidsHeart Supports Women’s Heart Health
At KidsHeart Medical Center, our adult cardiology team in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain is trained in the UK and US, with experience in detecting and managing female-specific heart risks. We offer:
- Women’s heart health programs tailored to the unique risk factors women face in the UAE
- Echocardiograms to spot structural changes early
- Stress testing to uncover problems that appear during activity
- Holter or Cardiac Event in case of palpitation to uncover Arrhythmia
- Coordination with endocrinology and metabolic specialists for women with hormonal changes or diabetes
We combine advanced technology with a personalised approach, ensuring women receive diagnosis and care based on their individual needs – not outdated assumptions.
Practical Heart Protection Tips for Women in the UAE
- Check your numbers annually – blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
- Stay active indoors or outdoors – walking in malls, home workouts, or light strength training
- Eat smart – limit processed and high-salt foods, focus on fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
- Quit smoking – and avoid secondhand smoke from shisha or cigarettes
- Manage stress – short breathing breaks, stretching, or even a few minutes of meditation can help
- Know your family history – share it with your doctor for personalised screening recommendations
Listening to Your Heart – Literally
Your heart might not always shout through severe chest pain. Sometimes it whispers – a subtle breathlessness, an unexplained tiredness, or a dull ache in the jaw. These whispers are easy to dismiss, especially in the middle of busy work and family life. But in the UAE, where risk factors are rising among women, those whispers deserve your full attention.
If you’ve experienced unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, or unusual discomfort, our women’s heart health specialists are here to help.
and give your heart the attention it deserves – because the earlier we listen, the better we can protect it.