Women's Cardiovascular Health Program

About the Program

Are You at Risk?

Diagnosis

Location

Outreach Program

Support Group

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Treatment Options

Treatment Team

Web Resources

With a focus on providing a gender-specific and personalized approach to treating cardiovascular disease, the UCSD Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program provides women with access to Cardiothoracic and Vascular surgeons skilled in advanced disease treatment options, other cardiovascular specialty programs, and comprehensive state of the art care that is available only at UCSD:

• Interventional Cardiology/Vascular Techniques –angioplasty, stenting, laser techniques for coronary and peripheral arteries, including the new FDA approved carotid artery stent 
• Advanced Dyslipidemia management—for those not responding to standard therapy
• Electrophysiology Procedures—diagnostic studies, tilt table testing, arrhythmia mapping, catheter ablations and pacemaker or defibrillator device implantation, extensive non invasive evaluations and monitoring
• Advanced Heart Failure Program –state of the art disease management and active clinical research
• Cardiothoracic Surgery—includes two female CT surgeons, experience in minimally invasive surgical procedures, specialized surgical procedures and cardiac transplantation.   

Active Clinical Research

The importance of clinical research is vital as so many women with CVD are undiagnosed or initially misdiagnosed.  Not too long ago, in 1996, due to a lack of research data on women, the American College of Physicians suggested that women do not need to be screened or treated for high cholesterol as a primary means of CVD prevention!! Today, with the developments of active clinical research, it is known that women benefit as much as men from cholesterol-lowering drug regimens. 

Advances in diagnosis and treatment would not occur without active clinical research.  The UCSD Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program is uniquely positioned to facilitate and conduct gender-specific research in a number of new and exciting areas.  This research translates into new treatments and technologies for women, benefitting them with the latest advances as they are developed.  Participation in the latest advances will be available through different research protocols offered by the UCSD Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program.   

The Best Treatment For Low to Intermediate Risk of CVD

For the many women who are at low to intermediate risk, the best course of action is simply to be aware of these risks and practice lowering them.  Work with your own primary care physician to quit smoking (if applicable) and to keep a watchful eye on certain key risk indicators such as blood pressure, weight, blood sugar and cholesterol.   If that is the best option for you, we will provide you with a copy of our findings and recommendations for you to share with your personal doctor. As a university-based medical center and teaching facility, we are very accustomed to working with community based physicians and will be happy to partner with your doctor in the management of your cardiovascular health.   Plus, becoming or staying physically active in a way that is enjoyable to you has enormous health benefits beyond the cardiovascular system.  We will work with existing community programs to facilitate your efforts to improve your cardiovascular health.