Women's Heart Health

Heart disease is the number one killer of American women, but often, women are not aware of their risks. Listen as experts from MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center talk about women's heart health and new research that is helping us better understand cardiovascular health in women. Cardiogenetics, which can play a role in the heart health of entire families; cardio-oncology, in which physicians monitor the heart as patients undergo treatments for cancer; and minimally invasive surgical treatments for heart disease -- all are discussed by Dr. Susan Bennett, cardiologist; Dr. Susan O'Donoghue, cardiac electrophysiologist; Dr. Ana Barac, cardio-oncologist; and Dr. Jennifer Ellis, cardiac surgeon.

Women's heart disease symptoms can be different from men's. Women's symptoms can be more subtle and the ABCs of women's symptoms include Angina (chest pain); Breathlessness (or waking of short of breath); Chronic Fatigue (not being able to do the things you used to do); Dizziness; Edema (swelling of the legs and ankles); Fainting; Gastric Upset (or nausea). If you have any of these symptoms or know someone who does, see your doctor for testing. Our experts in cardiovascular care encourage all women to "Listen to Your Heart."