The Reality of Women's Heart Health Today

Healthcare is supposed to mean help. It’s supposed to be the one place where pain is taken seriously and worry is met with answers instead of a shrug. But for thousands of women, that promise breaks down somewhere between the waiting room and the exam table. In 2026, the persistence of women’s symptoms being consistently minimized and ignored has been evident, as a recent survey suggests that 93% of women recently reported feeling dismissed when seeking medical help. As a young woman navigating her own health, and dealing with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and a heart murmur, I can share that this universal shared experience of constantly being overlooked in a setting that symbolizes safety and care is diminishing.

Dealing with symptoms of POTS and a heart murmur such as chest pain, syncope episodes, tachycardia (elevated heart rate), has not been easy, and you would think when being admitted to a healthcare setting or facility, I would be able to properly seek adequate and sufficient care. But unfortunately, that has not been the case for me or thousands of other women. For example, before being properly diagnosed my concerns and symptoms were dismissed as hormone changes and anxiety, rather than investigated thoroughly. This universally shared experience amongst women reflects a larger problem unfolding in the healthcare system, where women are repeatedly dismissed and disregarded. According to KFF, 46% of women feel dismissed, blamed, doubted or discriminated against by healthcare providers. These numbers are deeply disappointing and they make the case for reform in women's health, one where symptoms and concerns are taken seriously before it’s too late. 

But this urgency is not new, and the reasons behind it run deeper than any single appointment. Women’s health has been historically dismissed and understudied, leaving gaps in questions and concerns where they really matter. Studies and treatments have historically revolved around male response, but how do we know women will respond to those treatments and methods the same? We don’t, which is why greater investments focused on women, physician education, and more inclusive clinical studies could lead to overall faster diagnosis, treatment and better health outcomes for women. In June 2026, Melinda French Gates announced $215 million in new funding for women’s reproductive and midlife health through her organization, Pivotal, bringing her total investment across women's health, including cardiovascular, autoimmune, and mental health research, to $600 million over the past two years. This investment gives women around the world hope that the pathway to ensuring that healthcare decisions are based on actual evaluation and not assumption is being paved. We live in a society that changes everyday, so healthcare must also progress to better understand, treat, and assess women. And until it does, the best thing we can do is keep telling the truth about how we feel, loudly and often, until it can no longer be overlooked.