---
title: Heart Failure in Women
date: 2023-08-10T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/heart-failure-in-women"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Heart Failure in Women

More than 2.5 million women experience heart failure, which is a leading cause of hospitalization (and death) for women over sixty-five. But what is heart failure? Can it be prevented? How is it treated? In this article, Harvard Health Publishing provides a detailed overview of heart failure in women, addressing causes, types, symptoms, diagnostic testing, prevention, and treatment.

> Today, we know that practicing healthful habits earlier in life can often prevent heart failure. And thanks to improved treatments aimed at preserving heart function, women with heart failure can expect to survive longer than in past generations.

[Read the full article ](https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/heart_failure_in_women)

• LAST UPDATED: July 13, 2020

![Heart failure woman grabbing chest jpg](data:image/png;base64,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) Photo by Marco Verch/CCNull [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ women's heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/womens-heart-health)
- [heart disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease)
- [heart disease risk factors](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease-risk-factors)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

- We rigorously evaluate all content
- We embrace a reproductive justice framework
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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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##### More to Explore

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFx0lEQVRIiV1WTY/kSBF9Eenq7tlZ0IK4gMSB//97OHJCaEewYqenuuzM+HiPg929I1JWqsrleh8R4ciwv3/ZJZGq7qyOzLVyRcy55lprzrVmrlkxO6dqoZYxjWVqEyFIoJzykhdHyYte8pa3bMP/LQGAJF27AAnSiSR9PPP9svfdvvtNEoBNAs5/C7oW33eKJCkSpPTBIbvgDCaD8fyqcz8RdXJtJzIuwe/Av63+uMSGaDrR5YCZmSA7b5jeTZgEETII23faL73sJru7uurc2cUusY1tookOuNnJIZkBsPOOHDARBGgSNp3Wr0iQbHZ3VVdVZWVWRWWwEpXOhtogNwzA7YQ20swgA4GSjDQCDRHbFZZ39O7uPqGjMjKjIipDGdZpKoBucsMwG2anA3cAINGQSyaipRaoTeR70C/tVVWVmRG5ImbE7JiocKaJcJmby4bbsPOjkYCJpgG5aGwjURS5kZRE9onfXafwiBVrxjpiHR3TKjb1MGGYwYePAdvM3E0yOiBspoJcbSxUoVrNjU1JbJ75rMzMzFgRc61jziPnzpjeaSAHgGF2c/kATge4HJDAAF3tXehUlaq37pbUV9W8ByfWWnPNY85HHrtybkw33DYXbuZuGo4rDYDRIMOAXHK2MVGBDGZt7Cb1m/yIfEc/5uPYHznfkPOJPYZRNzjA4docei8kMxMBhwZoanSil3IpcqsqSR9FmZmn/Dn343jsxz2Pu+eUuN1G44XDcLuZeJb8eG8MDjhkamdZJ2opD0VsXUXqAz1jRaw15zH3fX/sj3scryMnjM/9RJNuA/0Mnq/01TMA+FU/BAtM1EIeirlVFsX37EZErDXXOo5j3/f72+M19q+33MdA8ocazucndYF9cUhmZ3ugiXaWUMflIPctM0RlXdGPWGutOY/j2N/2t2+Pr/H2y0vdb7eR+KmfbsxP6hQbJEhzAoar+RBssNCJmqpdcd8qkuJJcOpfax5z7vNx3++/vv0a93/+WF9enj+H/61efugKVqlL7LMBmNlJdqKrCx3qpdyV9y1iScrKiBVrXRlex+PYX/f7z2//+fb65a+FHz8/4vZLxU+d0Z1n+yObdDcTKdb7lepUL/Su+rpFrDNEccVnrrWOOR/z+GW/f73/A7/iX4k/CvnpS8VfuqIrz0bLLprJTORF2ae5UC/1jv73FmtJjMxY15prHmve5/Hzccc34GcUsG9Yv0fmrIyurJNjpAFmLvLi6zwvMcRDzC3WJJmVa81T/lrrWOt1ThwPvF5lfv+G+BMy51nOVVkVNQYANyPZlV3BTjLJFFOaELY1D4qZteIkmHOtI9Z/IrAOfL0I/rtjJbIiK95fmhg+IJq5xLPNdJ3yiyogYdjmPCRm1RWeWDNij3hkIurjBJ9ANKIqsyIzMm55G+Ziu18hqorq6M5mSS1A/uHgJJhzrjUj9iwk0R+NAAAmka2oyorMFbG5Qbq5maTuqlxV0Z1kE5INOLY5d5LVPeNysDIeWWhBT98TLCFo2R2ZK2Mbm5vU5e6S2JUVVVFdvOTfMHybxy4pu1bkXGtFzMzXJmTwF7wYpgDgMw7D4ljVURm5bsMN5DaGO6Rmn5lvZpMC4E8Yf9jW3Cll98w8EzCz3i6CZ3z+M/ILjPiEw38MbdFcmc+xNoepxXEe/eQ5hkR3UaS57Anj8zbn6YCrakVExqwGBQxsz/j0O2AAC8+6+y20BRWVK31zmYo9hpsBejfRLIKCwW+AbWsdkoqM6ohamasbBOAYNzx9Agbwgq3DLTSylVVZCGvThuH0c7ZQi93s8xA2l28G3zImpaKiOqqza5IQYA6/4SbAgQ2j4UwgqezKYlo5htHo13xEoa+JE4LDDK4tc0lIqppVzO74jWBg3CAADit4J1hSsau6zAbMZXJzd8AIaxllAmQGMwBbVwloqltNNhXnCA2DO9wxNuiabBuiPsZVkGgzg0lu5oQLLrngwEXwP47iyZPjxByDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Living with Congestive Heart Failure

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Interacting with My Cardiologist

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFx0lEQVRIiV1WTY/kSBF9Eenq7tlZ0IK4gMSB//97OHJCaEewYqenuuzM+HiPg929I1JWqsrleh8R4ciwv3/ZJZGq7qyOzLVyRcy55lprzrVmrlkxO6dqoZYxjWVqEyFIoJzykhdHyYte8pa3bMP/LQGAJF27AAnSiSR9PPP9svfdvvtNEoBNAs5/C7oW33eKJCkSpPTBIbvgDCaD8fyqcz8RdXJtJzIuwe/Av63+uMSGaDrR5YCZmSA7b5jeTZgEETII23faL73sJru7uurc2cUusY1tookOuNnJIZkBsPOOHDARBGgSNp3Wr0iQbHZ3VVdVZWVWRWWwEpXOhtogNwzA7YQ20swgA4GSjDQCDRHbFZZ39O7uPqGjMjKjIipDGdZpKoBucsMwG2anA3cAINGQSyaipRaoTeR70C/tVVWVmRG5ImbE7JiocKaJcJmby4bbsPOjkYCJpgG5aGwjURS5kZRE9onfXafwiBVrxjpiHR3TKjb1MGGYwYePAdvM3E0yOiBspoJcbSxUoVrNjU1JbJ75rMzMzFgRc61jziPnzpjeaSAHgGF2c/kATge4HJDAAF3tXehUlaq37pbUV9W8ByfWWnPNY85HHrtybkw33DYXbuZuGo4rDYDRIMOAXHK2MVGBDGZt7Cb1m/yIfEc/5uPYHznfkPOJPYZRNzjA4docei8kMxMBhwZoanSil3IpcqsqSR9FmZmn/Dn343jsxz2Pu+eUuN1G44XDcLuZeJb8eG8MDjhkamdZJ2opD0VsXUXqAz1jRaw15zH3fX/sj3scryMnjM/9RJNuA/0Mnq/01TMA+FU/BAtM1EIeirlVFsX37EZErDXXOo5j3/f72+M19q+33MdA8ocazucndYF9cUhmZ3ugiXaWUMflIPctM0RlXdGPWGutOY/j2N/2t2+Pr/H2y0vdb7eR+KmfbsxP6hQbJEhzAoar+RBssNCJmqpdcd8qkuJJcOpfax5z7vNx3++/vv0a93/+WF9enj+H/61efugKVqlL7LMBmNlJdqKrCx3qpdyV9y1iScrKiBVrXRlex+PYX/f7z2//+fb65a+FHz8/4vZLxU+d0Z1n+yObdDcTKdb7lepUL/Su+rpFrDNEccVnrrWOOR/z+GW/f73/A7/iX4k/CvnpS8VfuqIrz0bLLprJTORF2ae5UC/1jv73FmtJjMxY15prHmve5/Hzccc34GcUsG9Yv0fmrIyurJNjpAFmLvLi6zwvMcRDzC3WJJmVa81T/lrrWOt1ThwPvF5lfv+G+BMy51nOVVkVNQYANyPZlV3BTjLJFFOaELY1D4qZteIkmHOtI9Z/IrAOfL0I/rtjJbIiK95fmhg+IJq5xLPNdJ3yiyogYdjmPCRm1RWeWDNij3hkIurjBJ9ANKIqsyIzMm55G+Ziu18hqorq6M5mSS1A/uHgJJhzrjUj9iwk0R+NAAAmka2oyorMFbG5Qbq5maTuqlxV0Z1kE5INOLY5d5LVPeNysDIeWWhBT98TLCFo2R2ZK2Mbm5vU5e6S2JUVVVFdvOTfMHybxy4pu1bkXGtFzMzXJmTwF7wYpgDgMw7D4ljVURm5bsMN5DaGO6Rmn5lvZpMC4E8Yf9jW3Cll98w8EzCz3i6CZ3z+M/ILjPiEw38MbdFcmc+xNoepxXEe/eQ5hkR3UaS57Anj8zbn6YCrakVExqwGBQxsz/j0O2AAC8+6+y20BRWVK31zmYo9hpsBejfRLIKCwW+AbWsdkoqM6ohamasbBOAYNzx9Agbwgq3DLTSylVVZCGvThuH0c7ZQi93s8xA2l28G3zImpaKiOqqza5IQYA6/4SbAgQ2j4UwgqezKYlo5htHo13xEoa+JE4LDDK4tc0lIqppVzO74jWBg3CAADit4J1hSsau6zAbMZXJzd8AIaxllAmQGMwBbVwloqltNNhXnCA2DO9wxNuiabBuiPsZVkGgzg0lu5oQLLrngwEXwP47iyZPjxByDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health3)

[ResourcesRead

## A Toolbox for Coping with Anxiety amid Heart Failure

Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient.

![lenin-estrada-GCpyNh39kOc-1024x683](data:image/png;base64,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)

Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-toolbox-for-coping-with-anxiety-amid-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Personal Stories of Living with Heart Failure

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.

![Image (3)](data:image/png;base64,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)

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/personal-stories-of-living-with-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Adjusting and Adapting to My Disease

TC talks about living with heart failure and how she has adapted to it.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFyklEQVRIiV1Wy5LcuBHMKrBnpF3twweHI3zx/3+Kv8E+av1aa7yaUZNEPTJ9AGckGwF2NMlgZmWhkCj781/ukpqsrqycGXPOcx7nPM5zn+ee515z59yRp+UcHYM9oAFzd/MNfpPf2m/tt/Rb+pY2ykaZN8yF/x26LuiagqD1RNerNey6/v97CYAkSRA2QHoFk/T6ShKvyeuPSSYZZAYHzOAGM5MBBjMAsouDgEmicfuWUBJJiV9Ht0iRYEtcIi4OM3czN7nJoMUhAi6RrzybcIl5i3oBs4tV128Vuo0NtUtucLPhFwHM6EaDQwaBLUhiyxq2fZuQV+hmVVd1ZVd2BStRObqMbUYHxrcEbmYQ1BJEUBKb1kILm8QrNaTY7O6u7uzKyqyIjlBOqxDT1OZyt+EYbmO4ucsMZi64ZGoQarBRVBIbRa2lZDe7uy7ojMpZMSsmYnrHUMLoZgNj2CK4UgQYCTfawip1sUpJbWRLInvlvbuqsjIyIudZ86x5IM+tp6zhMh9uPhzb+EaBwFVgIpqs6uhMRnHjip7drLfwF3rOM86jz8NzN4WcdnMX/FKA4WbDBJPglIPGViezambOmtUbWaIWer2FnzPmGeeR572P+6jdkdoA2+xmjs0dw21zMzfCRLjBRLBQyZh1RpxxRm3spnSt7St6zjPmEcc+97vOL6x9WPHBMR6Nw0GH3LCqyGCE3OQgVOpgnnUe8z6PM7buolSrbCozM+MKfx73uX/R8Xzr/TaauOkG8Gaim9zhDjcQcIOv6ulSBeOs8x73/fhyLgJ2VVVWxbK7iHOe+3nc4/6C4zP6Xg/ieKce4DsTDXIsq4Dj2mKmBksVHUce9/nyfP/tvlWnyG+yHxEzznOex7l/iftnu38yvVQ7bz+qHsGE+jIlyAzLwSCCXASMs44v5+en54+ftsqUWJlVkWsBYs55zON+7i/x8uT3Xxy/tH7guz+xvleX1Fi+dNkfTIQItbpY0XHU/jI//ePT08etKkTVqs6MjIg4Y57nuR/3l3j5dTz/MhzpL/39E+tnMsWWLu+TKNnlht3qYidz1vE8P368A1tlUrzQMyJnxJxxnOd+7M/z+a/bv3B7RD2i4m+sP7JL3SQvl7WL4M0iVdlx9vE8AQBbZohcxbNmxJxzHue+77+dT3j4jEcgf0Inuk5WdveyFbINRhi/hr/cN/r87ZUgpsi1fTMjIiLmjPOM43487Z/wHngP5IFKVM/uWo7SXV7twyhjLYu8vJJVHc/5DYGyXhXkjJwz5xHn8/znZ+Bn4AOQE1moOquyqhaFe1GQbN2ylrKVLfUbAal6DT4iImNm7Dn/HZgAgZ+BKFSjelZXVVVm3dJsc4KwKvbFSjZJyB6AALDlnPyqICIjMmfl3jkJADtwAiEkUR25JFRVFJBOSV7dlV3V3d0U5Ro/GX4FsMWckjIz54yMzIzK2fWifusZdiAcSWTnCj8jx0hg2FgEXJnrEgli6PZhWwQ5J6Wst+gjqib7ScJ2EbwAcUMA2YzqyLpl+kjJ3SV4NSuqs6vZNNnAw3eb/w78z6uCqoWetU5hwoAN+BF4xstA3JBAEFnruMthAboPCFaNXApapNFudvtu+8Pv8ffHLRdBV0VUZFZm95RgjtsDPgQcGJhLAT2Li8At8aaAqGIlu0WZbMPDu+0HbnjYKoJSdWdmVlZ1kSHBHbef8P5XOGCYN6QhObI7s2KUW4I+HDJvWq0up9Fy+Wbbw/YeP9ptq0hKxarMWutEBgAb2N7j8WoP50AaiiObucrU0uh0wEbTiuoiG4LBhm0P49He+bbcVMW+qozdUgBwx3jA7T1wQJgbylDyalV1jU4r4/BhgBrejW61VoqGbXLZzfh6ZPJtE6qlBGAO3zA+QAeE6Wig4E2txmyzag3RYCBEGpdnw2AOHz5sM23sFrD2t0RKkhqruR3wG3yDKgxtRtnX1rVJECKclFGvZwRMZjA3Nwf/CwbpzbZGz4ZtAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)

TC talks about living with heart failure and how she has adapted to it.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-adjusting-and-adapting-to-my-disease)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Becoming a Heart Health Advocate

TC discusses being diagnosed with congestive heart failure and why she became an advocate for heart health.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC discusses being diagnosed with congestive heart failure and why she became an advocate for heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-becoming-a-heart-health-advocate)

[ResourcesRead

## Race, PCOS, and Reproductive Justice

PMOS, formerly called PCOS, is a reproductive justice issue. Racism, sexism, stress, and trauma all contribute to Black women's disproportionately high rates of PCOS, as well as diagnosis and treatment.

![A woman lays on a bed holding her stomach](data:image/png;base64,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)

PMOS, formerly called PCOS, is a reproductive justice issue. Racism, sexism, stress, and trauma all contribute to Black women's disproportionately high rates of PCOS, as well as diagnosis and treatment.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/race-pcos-and-reproductive-justice)