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February 16, 2026
Women in Serbia are twice as likely to die from a heart attack as men of the same age, according to medical data. Yet, heart disease is still widely perceived as a “male” problem.
Do you know what the leading cause of death among women in Serbia is? It’s not breast cancer, nor cervical cancer, not even stroke. None of the conditions we typically associate with women. On the contrary — the most common cause of death in women is what we still consider primarily a male threat: cardiovascular disease. Although men develop heart disease far more often (67% of cases compared to 33% in women), women are more likely to die from it — twice as likely, in fact. Why? Atypical symptoms, lack of awareness, and a persistent gender gap.
Despite heart disease being the leading cause of death in both sexes, men and women are not treated equally. A U.S. study conducted in 2022, which included more than 8,500 adults aged 40 to 79, found that men are 20% more likely to receive a prescription for statins — drugs used to lower cholesterol. While men receive medication, women are more often given advice: they are 27% more likely to be told to lose weight, 38% more likely to be advised to exercise regularly, and 11% more likely to be instructed to reduce fat or calorie intake.
But that’s not all. Half of women under the age of 55 who seek medical help in the U.S. with heart attack symptoms are at high risk of being sent home instead of being hospitalized and properly treated. And what is the situation in Serbia?
A major study, Gender Differences in Case Fatality Rates of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Serbia, followed more than 2,500 cardiac patients across 19 hospitals over a ten-year period. Its conclusion? There is a clear disparity in how men and women are treated for heart disease.
Women are less likely to receive standard medications such as aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin. They are also less likely to undergo procedures like catheterization and stent placement, and less likely to receive timely in-hospital treatment. Mortality rates reflect these differences: about 13.2% for women compared to 6.4% for men. The authors of the study are clear — heart disease in women must be treated more aggressively.
It may be hard to believe, but the gap is largely driven by bias. Everyone involved — from patients to physicians — operates under the assumption that men are far more prone to coronary disease. Women often do not perceive heart disease as a real threat, are less informed about it, and may fail to recognize symptoms in time.
Add to that the fact that women experience different symptoms than men — with up to one-third presenting atypical signs of a heart attack — and that doctors may first look for alternative explanations for women’s symptoms, and it becomes easier to understand how heart disease in women is so often overlooked.
So, what’s the solution?
Research on gender differences in cardiovascular care suggests two key directions: more aggressive treatment for women and broader education. On one hand, women need to be aware that heart disease is a real and significant risk, and learn how to recognize its symptoms. On the other, medical protocols must be improved to ensure that healthcare professionals do not overlook heart disease in female patients.
To take care of your heart health, you should start scheduling annual check-ups with a cardiologist after the age of 40. If you’re not already doing so, make an appointment if you have one or more of the following risk factors:
high blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg)
high LDL cholesterol
type 2 diabetes
smoking
obesity (especially abdominal)
physical inactivity
family history of heart disease
For women, the period during and after menopause carries additional risk, as do certain medical conditions, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature menopause (before or around age 40), autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and depression.
If you’re a woman, it’s not enough to watch for chest pain or numbness in the left arm — our symptoms are often different and more subtle. Seek medical help immediately if you experience:
chest pain or pressure
pain in the jaw, back, or arm (that spreads or intensifies)
shortness of breath (even at rest)
nausea (often accompanied by a burning sensation in the chest, similar to acid reflux)
unexplained fatigue (which can appear even at rest and may begin days before a heart attack)
Pay special attention to nausea resembling heartburn and pain in the jaw, back, or arms — these are among the most common symptoms in women. Sometimes these symptoms develop gradually and worsen over time, or come in waves. You may also experience sudden cold sweats or unexplained anxiety.
If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait — call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Foto: Pexels.com
