Why women should advocate for themselves after delays in heart disease diagnosis

GREENVILLE, S.C. (InvestigateTV) — Heart disease is the biggest threat to women’s health, though studies show many people still believe it is primarily a men’s health issue. That misconception can be dangerous, as symptoms in women are sometimes mistaken for stress or something else minor, leading to delays in care.A 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found women who went to the emergency room with chest pain waited, on average, 11 minutes longer than men to receive medical attention. The study also found women were less likely than men to have an echocardiogram, a non-invasive ultrasound test that evaluates heart structure and function.A runner’s warning signsCourtney Pace, a South Carolina mother, used to run a few miles a day. In 2024, even walking caused her pain.“It felt like I was having chest pain, it would go down my arm, like a heart attack,” Pace said.Pace went to the emergency room, where doctors gave her an EKG, a test that checks the hear