Yes. Historically, women have been underrepresented in medical research.[1] Because of this, some health conditions are sometimes underdiagnosed due to a lack of understanding of how they affect women. For instance, heart attacks tend to present differently in women when compared to men. It is not uncommon for women to not feel any chest pain during a heart attack. Instead, they may experience much milder symptoms, along with pain in the back, chest, arm, neck, jaw, shortness of breath, and general fatigue. For this reason, increased representation in medical research is paramount in improving health outcomes for women.[2]
Can certain health conditions affect women differently?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Yes, certain health conditions can affect women differently due to historical underrepresentation in medical research, which leads to underdiagnosis and a lack of understanding of their symptoms. For example, women may experience milder symptoms during a heart attack, such as back pain and fatigue, rather than the typical chest pain seen in men.