The prevalence of misdiagnosis in healthcare has a disproportionate impact on women, with as many as 57 percent reporting instances of being incorrectly diagnosed by medical professionals. This alarming trend has serious consequences, particularly in cases where life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and strokes are involved. Dr. Erin Nance, an orthopedic hand and wrist surgeon based in New York City, has embarked on a mission to raise awareness about the most commonly misdiagnosed health conditions affecting women throughout the month of October.
Dr. Nance’s informative series, which has gained significant attention on platforms like TikTok, sheds light on how symptoms of various health conditions, including rare autoimmune disorders and infertility, can manifest differently in women, often leading to misdiagnoses.
The series begins with an exploration of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that predominantly affects women aged 20 to 50. Dr. Nance highlights the challenge in diagnosing POTS, noting that it often goes unnoticed because “we can’t see it.” Patients with POTS experience symptoms such as an increased heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue when transitioning from lying down to standing up. This condition is particularly challenging to diagnose as there are no specific tests or imaging methods available. Treatment recommendations include increased fluid intake, regular exercise, and the use of compression stockings to maintain central blood flow.
Dr. Nance’s series delves into other health conditions, including the commonly misdiagnosed symptoms of stroke in women. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in women, yet they are over 33 percent more likely to be misdiagnosed when experiencing an acute stroke. Dr. Nance emphasizes the unique symptoms that women may experience during a stroke, such as loss of consciousness, fainting, general weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, and more. These distinct symptoms are often overlooked, which can delay proper treatment. Identifying risk factors, such as birth control use, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, and a history of migraines, is crucial as early treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Heart attacks in women are another critical area of concern. Despite more women than men dying from heart disease each year, women have a 59 percent higher risk of being misdiagnosed with conditions like acid reflux, stress, or anxiety when experiencing heart attack symptoms. These symptoms can include chest pain, unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, and pain in various areas, including the arm, neck, jaw, or back.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is addressed in the series, with Dr. Nance revealing that women are 83 percent more likely to be misdiagnosed for MS by a doctor. MS affects the protective sheath covering the brain, nerves, and spinal cord, leading to symptoms like extreme fatigue, confusion, forgetfulness, and mood swings.
Lupus, an autoimmune disease predominantly affecting women aged 15 to 45, is another focus of Dr. Nance’s series. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis is six years, and 46 percent of patients report being misdiagnosed, with 54 percent told that their symptoms were either psychological or that nothing was wrong.
Dr. Erin Nance’s efforts to raise awareness about these commonly misdiagnosed health conditions in women underscore the importance of recognizing gender bias in medicine and ensuring that early diagnosis and proper treatment are accessible to all.
