Women’s heart symptoms can look different, expert warns – CTV
February 13, 2026
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women worldwide, yet it is still widely under-recognized, underdiagnosed and undertreated, according to one health expert.
“Wear Red Day,” which in Canada is recognized on Feb. 13 — being recognized Feb. 13, urges Canadians to learn the warning signs and understand the risks women face when it comes to heart health.
“We’re learning more and more each day about how heart disease uniquely affects women,” nurse practitioner and researcher Rachel Ollivier said in an interview with CTV Your Morning Thursday.
She noted those risks include conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common condition that affects hormones and causes irregular menstrual periods. They can also include pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, as well as hormonal changes later in life.
Ollivier added that many women are still unaware of their risk, making education critical.
“We’re trying to raise awareness about what some of those symptoms of heart disease might be, and how to get screened,” she said.
