Chest Pain in Women: Stress, Anxiety, or a Heart Problem?
- Dr Chan Po Fun
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
By Dr Chan Po Fun
Consultant Cardiologist | Women’s Heart Health & Preventive Cardiology
You Might Be Wondering…
“Is this just stress or something more serious?”
“It comes and goes. Should I worry?”
“Am I over-reacting?”
“What if my tests turn out normal?”
These questions are incredibly common, especially among women.
This hesitation is understandable.
But it can also delay reassurance, answers, and appropriate care.
Is Chest Pain in Women Caused by Stress or Anxiety?
Can stress or anxiety cause chest pain in women?
Yes. Stress and anxiety can cause chest symptoms.
However, experiencing stress does not rule out a heart-related cause, especially in women.
Many women notice chest tightness, pressure, or breathlessness during periods of emotional or mental strain. Stress can trigger genuine heart symptoms, not just mimic them.
Assuming symptoms are “just stress” without proper evaluation may delay the diagnosis of treatable heart conditions.
Because stress and heart symptoms often overlap, careful assessment matters.
It Comes and Goes. Should I Be Concerned?
Is chest discomfort that comes and goes serious?
It can be.
In women, many heart-related conditions cause intermittent rather than constant symptoms.
Chest discomfort may:
Appear during physical exertion or emotional stress
Ease with rest
Fluctuate over days or even weeks
This start-stop pattern is common in women’s heart conditions and is one reason why symptoms are often overlooked.
Chest discomfort that comes and goes can still be important.
I Don’t Want to Overreact
Am I overreacting by seeing a cardiologist for mild symptoms?
No.
An early evaluation is about gaining clarity and peace of mind, not assuming the worst.In fact, many consultations end with reassurance.
You do not need to wait for symptoms to become severe or alarming before seeking advice. Seeking medical care early is a form of self-care, not overreaction.
Early assessment helps provide clarity and reassurance.
What If My Tests Are Normal?
What if my heart tests come back normal but I still have symptoms?
Still unsure? That uncertainty alone is a valid reason to seek advice.
This is more common than many people realise, especially in women.
Standard heart tests are excellent at detecting major artery blockages. However, some conditions, such as microvascular ischaemia, can be harder to identify on routine testing.
Normal results are still important and reassuring, but they need to be interpreted in the context of your symptoms.
Normal tests do not mean your symptoms are imagined or unimportant.
Could This Still Be My Heart?
Can women have heart problems even without classic risk factors?
Yes, they can.
Many women with heart-related symptoms:
Are slim or physically active
Do not smoke
Have no known heart disease
Develop symptoms around midlife or menopause
This is why symptoms, not appearance, matter.
What a First Heart Evaluation Involves
A thoughtful first consultation is centred on you, not just test results.
It focuses on:
Listening carefully to your symptom patterns
Understanding your life stage, stress levels, and daily demands
Assessing your individual heart risk in context
Deciding whether tests are needed, and which ones, if any
You remain in control of every decision. Nothing is done without discussion or consent.
Sometimes, the most important outcome is reassurance and peace of mind.
Unsure If This Is Your Heart?
You don’t need severe symptoms, abnormal tests, or a crisis to seek clarity.
A conversation can help you understand what your body is telling you.
A calm, personalised heart assessment for women who want clarity and reassurance.
• No referral required
• Same-day / Next-day appointments available
• Consultation available at Mount Alvernia & Gleneagles
About Dr Chan Po Fun
Dr Chan Po Fun is a cardiologist in Singapore with a special focus on chest pain and heart symptoms in women.
She is experienced in assessing women whose symptoms are subtle, intermittent, or unexplained, including those with normal initial tests, stress-related symptoms, or concerns around menopause and microvascular heart disease.
She regularly sees women who have been told their symptoms are “stress” or “nothing serious”, yet continue to feel unwell.
Her approach emphasises careful listening, personalised risk assessment, and evidence-based care -- helping women gain clarity, reassurance, and appropriate treatment.
Get clarity, reassurance, and a plan tailored to you
Clinics:
Mount Alvernia Hospital
# 05-51 Medical Centre D, 820 Thomson Road, Singapore 574623
Gleneagles Hospital
Annexe Block # 03-37C, 6A Napier Road, Singapore 258500
Links:
Women may have other symptoms that are typically less associated with heart attack, such as:
Anxiety
Shortness of breath
Upset stomach
Pain in the shoulder, back or arm
Unusual tiredness and weakness
According to a new study, women may be twice as likely to experience a fatal heart attack compared to men. Women have several unique risk factors that may explain this higher risk, including premature menopause, pregnancy complications, gestational hypertension, and delivering an infant that is premature. Other risk factors for heart disease in women include more well-known issues: diabetes, blood pressure, smoking, and family history.