UC San Diego Health cardiologists wear red to raise awareness for women's heart health.
Coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke are the three forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) — the No. 1 killer of women in America today. Nearly half a million women will die from CVD this year, more than the next three causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
While most people are familiar with the symptoms and risk factors for CVD, few realize that there are important differences in women's symptoms. Studies show that women with suspected CVD are less likely to be referred for diagnostic testing and less likely to undergo invasive testing or aggressive early treatment. This gender bias alone is reason enough for women to take a proactive role in understanding their risk of CVD.
In addition, women with congenital heart disease face added risks related to pregnancy and childbirth. Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care.
About the Women's Cardiovascular Health Program
Our Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program offers gender-specific, individualized consultation for CVD risk factor screening and symptom assessment to determine your heart health and the level of prevention or treatment strategy you may require.
The program is led by cardiologists dedicated to helping women understand, prevent and treat the disease.
To schedule a cardiovascular consultation, which includes personalized risk factor evaluation, please call
858-657-8530.
Research in Women's Cardiovascular Disease
The importance of clinical research is vital as so many women with CVD are undiagnosed or initially misdiagnosed. Not too long ago, 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 development of active clinical research, we know that women benefit as much as men from cholesterol-lowering drug regimens.
Advances in diagnosis and treatment would not occur without active clinical research. Our program is uniquely positioned to facilitate and conduct gender-specific research, which translates into new treatments and technologies for women.