Cardiac Care for Women

The cardiologists at Kardic Health understand that women are at greater risk of developing heart disease than men, requiring unique cardiac care. However, women are often unaware of the risk factors associated with heart disease, causing their condition to go under-diagnosed until a major cardiac event occurs. Kardic Health works to educate, diagnose and treat women early with our specialized cardiac care services.

Why Women Need Specialized Cardiac Care

Heart disease presents itself differently in women than in men, with symptoms that are less obvious until a cardiac event occurs. In addition, many cardiac conditions that exist in women relate to the reproductive cycle, pregnancy or menopause, requiring specialized care to diagnose and treat these conditions.

Some women’s health conditions that are associated with heart disease include:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a condition in which cysts develop in the ovaries. This can cause problems with fertility and menstruation and is also associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes or high blood pressure.

Menopause – dropping levels of estrogen leading up to menopause and decreased estrogen during menopause pose a significant risk in developing heart disease.

Pregnancy – Women who have high blood pressure or get diabetes while pregnant are at a higher risk of developing long-term high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.

Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women

The most recognizable symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. However, chest pain is not always the most severe or noticeable symptom during a heart attack for a woman. In fact, women often describe the sensation as tightness rather than pain. Other symptoms that women are more likely to experience than men include:

• Neck, jaw, or shoulder discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Dizziness

The Kardic Difference for Women’s Cardiac Care

At Kardic Health, we don’t treat heart disease; we treat the whole person. This means our women’s health program is personalized to each patient’s specific lifestyle and condition. With early diagnosis, specialized treatment and continued education, we can help enhance women’s heart health.

Early Diagnosis

Our team of heart experts work with our patients to determine their exact risk factors to diagnose heart disease before it causes complications. Risk factors for heart disease include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Inactivity
• Unhealthy diet
• Mental stress
• Depression

Specialized Treatment

We provide personalized treatment methods with roots in conventional and integrative therapies centered around each patient’s needs and lifestyle. Treatment methods may include:

• Medication management
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Exercise programs
• Minimally invasive and endovascular procedures
• Alternative therapies

We take a holistic approach to cardiac care for women of all ages, activity levels, and lifestyles. We partner with our patients to design a customized cardiac plan that fits their goals.