The article is in partnership with Edwards Lifesciences, issued in public interest for creating awareness about aortic stenosis.

In 2023, Priya (name changed), 72, a resident of Mumbai, found herself in a battle with an unexpected enemy — her heart. What began as vague symptoms — loss of appetite and an overall feeling of unease — soon spiralled into something much more serious. She also experienced pain in the chest along with difficulty in breathing. She was later diagnosed with aortic stenosis — a condition where blood flow is decreased due to the narrowing of the aortic valve.

“I felt anxious when I first heard the diagnosis. So many questions ran through my mind, but the uncertainty was the hardest to bear,” she recalls. A delayed diagnosis had increased the severity of the disease for Priya.

While aortic stenosis (AS) affects millions worldwide, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. As per a 2019 study, women are 13% less likely to be referred and 20% less likely to receive timely treatment compared to men.

“Women may attribute early symptoms of aortic stenosis, such as breathlessness, fatigue, or mild difficulty climbing stairs, to other causes like overexertion, stress, or even their menstrual cycles,” says Dr Rohit Singh, senior director of medical affairs at Edward Lifesciences. This, he explains, often leads to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Some common symptoms women should look out for include:

● Shortness of breath (dyspnea): This is a common symptom, especially during physical activity. You might feel like you can’t catch your breath or that you need to stop and rest frequently.

● Chest pain or tightness (angina): This can feel like pressure, squeezing, or a burning sensation in the chest, often brought on by exertion.

● Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak, especially after activity.

● Dizziness or fainting (syncope): Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or even passing out, particularly during or after exercise.

● Heart palpitations: Feeling like your heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping beats.

● Decreased exercise tolerance: Not being able to do as much physical activity as you used to without feeling tired or short of breath.

● Swollen ankles or feet: This can be a sign of heart failure, which can be a complication of aortic stenosis.

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