Women's Cardiology

Heart disease often looks different in women than it does in men. Women may experience different symptoms as well. Heart disease tests and treatment for women may be different, too. This is why it is so important to have specialists skilled and trained to tailor care to women.

You probably already know that a heart-healthy diet, exercise and regular checkups can help lower your risk and identify problems early — when they’re easier to treat. However, you may not be aware that certain health conditions increase a woman’s risk for heart disease. These include:

• Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
• Being in menopause
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder characterized by irregular or dysfunctional ovulation, infertility and excess male hormones
• Circadian rhythm disorders: Misalignment of the body’s internal clock with external time

Our Women’s Heart program is here to help you keep your heart healthy. Consider making an appointment with our program if you have concerns about your heart health or have been diagnosed with any of the conditions listed below. Our team can give you a full evaluation and make sure you get the needed tests and treatment to lower your heart disease risk and enjoy the best health possible.

Cardiovascular conditions:

• Arrhythmias
• Cardiomyopathy — including stress cardiomyopathy or peripartum cardiomyopathy
• Coronary microvascular dysfunction (damage to the smallest heart vessels, which can block blood flow)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

Other conditions:

• Autoimmune diseases — including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
• Breast arterial calcification (calcium buildup in the middle layer of the breast’s arterial wall)
• History of tobacco use
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• PCOS

Our women’s cardiologists also work closely with OB-GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists to provide care for your heart during pregnancy. We can support you through every stage pregnancy with:

• Pregnancy risk assessments
• Management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and peripartum cardiomyopathy
• Postpartum cardiovascular care

During your first appointment, you will meet with a cardiologist who specializes in women’s heart health. You will be asked about your health history, medications and any symptoms you’re having. Your cardiologist may order lab tests, imaging studies or screenings to get all the information necessary to develop a specific plan of care for you.
After getting a clear picture of your heart disease risk, your cardiologist will discuss what you can do to enjoy the best health possible. Your customized treatment plan may include: 

• Changing your current medicine or starting a new medicine
• Making healthy lifestyle changes 
• Providing referrals to other specialists at Baptist Health who can help you manage conditions that are affecting your heart health

You and your cardiologist may decide on a treatment plan during the first appointment.  If your concerns are more complex, your cardiologist may consult with other doctors on your care team and then develop a care plan to discuss with you.

The Women’s Heart program provides a range of support services to help you, including

• Exercise counseling
• Nutritional counseling
• Quitting smoking
• WomenHeart Support Group