“I was told it was anxiety”
Mandy's story
Former MasterChef contestant, Mandy Hall, began experiencing persistent symptoms, but was repeatedly told they were caused by anxiety. As the symptoms continued, she found herself questioning her instincts and searching for answers. Eventually, Mandy received a diagnosis of a significant blockage in a major artery that confirmed her concerns and would ultimately save her life.
The experience opened her eyes to the challenges many women face in having heart disease recognised and taken seriously. Today, Mandy shares her story to help raise awareness of women’s heart health and encourage others to listen to their bodies and advocate for themselves.
It made me feel like I couldn’t listen to my body properly, that I should just go back to work and stop fussing about something that wasn’t there.
Mandy Hall
Heart disease can look different in women
Mandy had a busy career and was finding herself increasingly lethargic and breathless. Reassured that her symptoms were linked to stress, anxiety and her weight, she focused on getting fitter and joined a gym. But the more exercise she did, the worse she felt.
Like many women, Mandy's symptoms didn't fit the common expectations of a heart disease, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. By the time the cause was identified, she was living with a life-threatening 90% blockage in a major artery.
Her experience is a powerful reminder to seek answers and keep advocating for your health when something doesn't feel right.
Why women’s heart health deserves attention
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death for women in Australia, yet it is often under-recognised and underdiagnosed. While chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, women are more likely to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, or pain in the jaw, shoulder or back.
Women's heart health is a key focus for the Heart Foundation, with growing research helping to improve our understanding of sex-specific risk factors, including pregnancy-related complications and menopause. By increasing awareness and advancing evidence-based care, we can help more women get the diagnosis, treatment and support they need, sooner.
We're all in
Taylor's story
More information on women’s heart health
In this advertisement, 'heart disease' is used as a general term for all cardiovascular disease. Statistics are compiled by the Heart Foundation based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Causes of Death, Australia.