Women’s Heart Program

The cardiologists at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Women’s Heart Program are experts in caring for women’s cardiovascular health. Our mission is to identify women at increased risk for heart disease, prevent disease development and progression, as well as improve overall health and social well-being.  

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Certain risk factors put women at higher risk for heart disease, even at younger ages, compared to men. Fortunately, women’s long-term cardiovascular health can be greatly improved when certain conditions and risks are identified and treated early. The Women’s Heart Program at Weill Cornell Medicine addresses the gender inequities in cardiovascular care by educating our patients about women’s heart health, providing screening and testing, helping women reduce their chances of heart disease with preventative care, and providing leading treatments for all types of heart disease.

Cardiac Risks for Women

Certain risk factors can play a significant role in the development of heart disease in women—and symptoms may be very different for women than men. If you have any of these risk factors or conditions, you will benefit from an evaluation by our Women’s Cardiology Team.

• Inflammatory disorders or rheumatologic disease (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease)
• History of complicated pregnancy (gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or a low birth weight for baby)
• Certain chemotherapies and radiation therapies for cancer treatment (including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or lymphoma treatment)
• History of premature menopause from natural or medical causes, especially below the age of 40 years (for example, oophorectomy at a young age for the treatment of certain cancers)
• Current or prior history of smoking
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Family history of heart attack, stroke, or sudden death, especially at an age less than 45 years old in a male relative or less than 55 years old in a female relative
• Fibromuscular dysplasia
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol)
• Overweight status
• Personal history of heart disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease at an age less than 65 years
• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Our Treatment Approach

Our team are experts in evaluating the symptoms and risks associated with heart disease in women, as well as the stigmas and anxieties surrounding heart disease in women. We work closely with you to understand your concerns and long-term goals for your health. Our expert cardiologists identify women with an increased risk for heart disease, slow disease development and progression, and develop treatment strategies to optimize their long-term health. As a patient at our center, you will receive an in-depth cardiovascular evaluation and physical exam, completed by one of our women’s cardiology experts. Your evaluation may include:

• A detailed medical history
• Review of family history and lifestyle habits
• Pregnancy/reproductive history
• Lipid analysis
• Biomarker screening
• Advanced cardiac imaging

Evaluation, along with a thorough physical exam, enables our cardiologists to determine your risk factors and develop an individualized plan to reduce the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, or angioplasty. Your health plan may include:

• Diet and exercise suggestions
• Medication changes
• Stress reduction suggestions 

Services We Offer

Our cardiologists work closely with other specialists, including rheumatologists, obstetricians, oncologists, and others to develop optimal an optimal treatment plan for you. Some of the services we offer include:,

• Advanced multimodality diagnostic testing
• Comprehensive cardiac and medical management
• Consultative evaluations
• Nutritional counseling
• Partnership with therapeutic interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and surgical specialties should invasive therapy be needed
• Preventative care
• Referrals to partner specialties to manage conditions that may increase cardiac risk