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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Learn more about how the causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of ischemic heart disease may be different for women than for men.

If you have been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, it is important that you continue your treatment plan. Get regular follow-up care to control your condition and prevent complications.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of your disease and other complications or health conditions you may have. Possible treatments for ischemic heart disease include heart-healthy lifestyle changes, medicines, or procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention.

Your doctor will diagnose ischemic heart disease based on your symptoms, your medical and family history, your risk factors, and the results from tests and procedures

Signs, symptoms, and complications will vary based on the type of ischemic heart disease you have. Some people report severe symptoms of ischemic heart disease, but others have no signs or symptoms at all. If you have “silent” ischemic heart disease, you may not experience any symptoms until you have complications, such as acute coronary events including a heart attack.

To screen for ischemic heart disease, your doctor will determine whether you have any known risk factors, test your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and check your blood pressure. Your doctor may use a risk calculator to determine whether you are in a low-, intermediate-, or high-risk group. Your doctor may recommend heart-healthy lifestyle changes to help prevent ischemic heart disease.

There are many risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Your risk of ischemic heart disease increases with the type and number of risk factors you have and how serious they are. Some risk factors—such as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol—can be changed through heart-healthy lifestyle changes. Other risk factors, such as sex, older age, family history and genetics, and race and ethnicity, cannot be changed.

There are many risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Your risk of ischemic heart disease increases with the type and number of risk factors you have and how serious they are. Some risk factors—such as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol—can be changed through heart-healthy lifestyle changes. Other risk factors, such as sex, older age, family history and genetics, and race and ethnicity, cannot be changed.

There are three main types of ischemic heart disease: obstructive coronary artery disease; nonobstructive coronary artery disease; and coronary microvascular disease.

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