When it comes to keeping our hearts strong and beating with purpose, regular heart health screenings can be helpful. As a healthy-heart coach who’s passionate about empowering us to live vibrant, healthy lives, I know we’re often so busy pouring our energy into our careers, families, communities and dreams that we may sometimes put our own health on the back burner.
However, here’s the truth.
Heart disease claims far too many lives each year and is the number one killer of women, more than all cancers combined, according to the Heart Foundation NZ, American Heart Association, and CDC. Regular screenings can be useful for catching issues early – potentially identifying serious problems.
So let’s invest a few minutes to explore how to prioritise your heart with confidence and care.
Why we can benefit from heart health screenings
Let’s start with the big picture – heart disease doesn’t discriminate; however, it shows up differently in women, and that’s why regular screenings can be a valuable tool. 1
Unlike the dramatic chest-clutching heart attack we see in movies (often cantered on men), women’s heart issues can be less obvious, with symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or even jaw pain that are easy to brush off as ‘just stress’ or ‘being tired.’
Womens’ biology plays a role here—oestrogen offers some heart protection before menopause, however as those levels drop, our risk for heart disease spikes, and conditions like micro-vascular disease (where tiny heart arteries get blocked) are more common in women, making early detection trickier without the right tests. A 2021 study in Circulation found that women are 50% more likely to be misdiagnosed during a heart attack, often because our symptoms don’t match the ‘classic’ signs, which is why screenings can help to spot issues before they become emergencies.
Women also face unique risk factors—like pregnancy complications (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes), autoimmune conditions, and emotional stress from eg. caregiving—that increase our heart disease risk, yet these are often overlooked in standard checkups.
Regular screenings give us a clear picture of our heart health, helping us spot risks like oxidised cholesterol, hypertension, or irregular heart rhythms early, when they can be more straightforward to manage. A 2022 Journal of the American Heart Association study showed that women who undergo regular heart screenings have a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular events, because early detection means early action. This is about owning our health and making sure our hearts get the attention they deserve.
Specific heart health screenings
So, what exactly happens during heart health screenings, and why do they matter?
Screenings are a mix of tests and assessments that check how your heart and blood vessels are doing, and they’re tailored to your age, risk factors, and health history. Here’s a rundown of the key screenings it’s worth knowing about, so you can walk into your primary health care practitioner’s office feeling informed and empowered –
• Blood pressure check – High blood pressure (hypertension) is sometimes known as a silent heart disease risk factor that damages arteries over time. Women are more likely to develop it post-menopause, per a 2023 Hypertension journal study.
Top tip – Aim for a reading below 120/80 mmHg, and consider being checked at least annually.
• Blood sugar test – Elevated blood sugar (pre-diabetes or diabetes) damages blood vessels and increases heart disease risk. Women with a history of gestational diabetes are at higher risk, per a 2022 Diabetes Care study.
Top tip – depending on your risk, it can be worth getting a fasting glucose or A1C test every 1–3 years.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) – This test records your heart’s electrical activity to detect irregular rhythms (arrhythmias) or other issues. Women are more prone to stress-related arrhythmias, per a 2023 Circulation study.
Top tip – If you have symptoms like palpitations or a family history of heart disease, it’s worth asking for an ECG
• Coronary calcium scan – This CT scan measures calcium build up in your arteries, a sign of early atherosclerosis. It’s especially useful for women over 50 or with risk factors, as it can catch issues before symptoms appear, per a 2021 Journal of the American College of Cardiology study.
Whilst it’s common to measure LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol), HDL (‘good’ cholesterol), and triglycerides, it’s the oxidation of this cholesterol (and subsequent weakening of arteries via atherosclerotic plaques being deposited) that seems to cause significant damage.
• Stress test – This checks how your heart performs under physical stress (like on a treadmill). It’s key for detecting reduced blood flow, especially in women with microvascular disease, which can be harder to spot, per a 2022 European Heart Journal report.
• Echocardiogram – This ultrasound images your heart’s structure and function, catching issues like valve problems or heart failure. It’s recommended if you have symptoms like shortness of breath or a heart murmur.
These screenings aren’t one-size-fits-all—your primary healthcare practitioner will tailor them based on your age, symptoms, and risk factors; however, knowing what’s available empowers you to ask the right questions.
The goal is to catch potential challenges early, when lifestyle changes can make the biggest difference.
Why women’s screening needs are unique
Women’s hearts are different, and so are our screening needs. Our smaller blood vessels and hormonal shifts can make us more susceptible to conditions like micro-vascular dysfunction, which standard tests like angiograms might miss. Plus, women are more likely to have ‘non-obstructive’ heart disease, where arteries aren’t fully blocked, however, still cause problems, as noted in a 2023 Nature Reviews Cardiology study.
This means we need primary healthcare practitioners who understand women’s heart health and use tests like stress echocardiograms or coronary calcium scans to catch subtle issues.
We also face unique risk factors that screenings can help monitor. For example, women with a history of preeclampsia have a 2–4 times higher risk of heart disease, per a 2021 American College of Cardiology study, and regular blood pressure checks can catch early warning signs.
Autoimmune diseases like lupus, more common in women, increase inflammation and heart risk, making screenings like C-reactive protein tests critical.
Emotional stress, which hits women harder, can also trigger heart issues, so screenings that monitor heart rate variability or inflammation markers are key. By getting regular screenings, you’re building in a step to be more informed about your personal health picture.
Fresh strategies to prioritise heart screenings
Getting practical, here are some handy pointers…
Create a heart health calendar
Transfer screenings into part of your annual health calendar—physical or digital—where you schedule and track your appointments. Mark dates for annual blood pressure checks, and set reminders for tests like ECGs or calcium scans based on your primary healthcare practitioner’s advice.
Top tip – Add a fun touch—like a heart sticker or a self-motivating quote—to make it feel like self-care, not a chore.
Practice heart health advocacy
Be ready to speak up at your primary healthcare practitioner’s visits. Prepare a list of questions, like ‘Which screenings are best for my age and risk factors?’ or ‘Could my symptoms be heart-related?’
We can all sometimes feel we’re being dismissed in a medical setting, however a 2022 Circulation study showed that self-advocacy led to 15% better diagnostic outcomes. If you feel unheard, politely ask for a second opinion or a referral to a heart health specialist (and if you’re a woman – a referral to a women’s heart health specialist).
Incorporate pre-screening prep
Before a screening, prep your body and mind to ensure accurate results. Avoid caffeine or heavy meals before blood pressure or stress tests, and self-nourish with a good night’s sleep to stabilise your heart rate. A 2023 Journal of the American College of Cardiology study noted that proper prep improves test accuracy by 10%.
Top tip – Jot down symptoms, medications, and family history to share with your primary healthcare practitioner for a thorough assessment.
Celebrate screening milestones
After an appointment, reward yourself with something small yet meaningful—like a new journal, a relaxing bath, or a walk in your favourite park.
Make it a ritual to celebrate your commitment to your health and your heart.
Explore tele-health screening options
If getting to a primary healthcare practitioner’s office feels overwhelming, look into tele-health platforms that offer virtual heart health assessments, like blood pressure monitoring with at-home devices or remote consultations for health lifestyle management. A 2022 Telemedicine and e-Health study showed that women using tele-health for screenings had 20% higher follow-up rates. Ask your primary healthcare practitioner about approved home monitoring tools to stay on top of your heart health.
Build a health vision board
Create a vision board—physical or on your preferred app —that reflects your commitment to your health. You might want to include positive images, inspiring quotes, and add reminders of your health goals. A 2023 Psychology of Well-Being study found that visualisation tools boosted women’s health motivation by 15%.
Top tip – Glance at your board weekly to stay focused and inspired.
Your heart health screening plan
Ready to take charge of your health?
Here’s a week-long plan to kick start your journey. Simply tailor to fit your life –
• Day 1 – Set up your health calendar and mark your annual check.
• Day 2 – Clarify your health goals and consider asking a friend you trust to be your accountability partner for support.
• Day 3 – Spend 10 minutes exploring resources for items for your health vision board
• Day 4 – Practice advocacy by writing down 2–3 questions for a future primary healthcare practitioner’s visit.
• Day 5 – Prep for a future health appointment by noting symptoms and noting to avoid caffeine the day before.
• Day 6 – Plan a post-appointment reward, like a relaxing evening or a nature-walk, to celebrate.
• Day 7 – If you’re keen, research tele-health options or set up a home blood pressure monitor for easy tracking.
See which of these suggestions feels like a good fit for you, and check in with your primary healthcare practitioner to tailor screenings based on your age, symptoms, and risk factors.
You’re the champion of your heart
Heart disease might be a potential risk, however being informed can put you in the driver’s seat, giving you the power to be proactive and keep your heart strong for all the moments that matter—your dreams, your loved ones, your joy.
We have incredible strength to take charge with confidence and care.
By embracing a heart health calendar, education, advocacy, pre-test prep, milestone celebrations, tele-health options, and a vision board, you’re not just getting screened—you’re building a heart-strong life that radiates vitality and resilience.
See you on this week’s #AlivewithFi 🙂
1 Selected blood tests can help indicate heart-health risk in women –
https -//www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/single-blood-test-predicts-30-year-cardiovascular-disease-risks-women
Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O., I.N.H.C., is The LifeStyle Aligner. She’s an experienced practitioner since 1992 in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified Osteopath, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, speaker, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, and Health Brand Ambassador.
