Women’s Heart Health
At Providence Heart Institute of Spokane, we know that heart disease in women often looks different than heart disease in men; it requires an informed approach to diagnosis, management and prevention.
Through our Women’s Heart Health program, we treat women of all ages, providing the heart care you need – during every stage of life.
Our Approach to Women’s Heart Health
Women face unique physical and hormonal changes throughout life that can increase the risk of heart disease.
Each year, one in three women in the U.S. dies from heart disease. Women also have specific risk factors, including menopause-related hormonal changes, and heart attack symptoms that can be harder to recognize.
It has never been more important to have a care team you can count on. Our experts in women’s health and cardiology offer checkups and screenings to help you understand your risks and take charge of your heart health.
What You Should Know About Heart Health
Women’s Heart Health Services
The Women’s Heart Health program at Providence Heart Institute of Spokane offers diagnostic and treatment approaches for heart concerns unique to women. Our areas of expertise include:
- Advanced hypertension
- Cardiac genomic testing
- Individualized heart attack prevention lifestyle planning
- Microvascular coronary artery disease
- Personalized heart risk assessments
- Postpartum cardiac health
- Pregnancy-associated cardiac disease
Meet Our Heart Care Team
At Providence Heart Institute of Spokane, you’ll be cared for by a tightly connected group of specialists who bring deep expertise and a personalized approach to treatment, prevention, and long-term wellness. Our experts work collaboratively to support your health through every stage of care.
Heart Disease is Different for Women
Heart disease affects both men and women, but because it presents differently in women, it’s often misdiagnosed. The earlier we find heart disease, the easier it is to treat.
Understanding the specific risk factors that influence heart health in women can help you protect your heart at any age – from pregnancy to post-menopause.
Learn more about women’s heart health.
Patient Resources & Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Women’s risk for heart disease tends to increase post-menopause and after age 65, typically seven to 10 years later than men. However, it’s never too early to take preventive action to control your risk factors.
Younger women should pay attention to risk factors that could indicate heart disease later in life, such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, general uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol.
Family history can also be the biggest risk factor for early heart disease.
Menopause symptoms can vary, but often, treating these symptoms also benefits heart health. Some symptom management techniques include:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Managing stress
- Seeking doctor support with counseling or therapy, non-hormonal medication or hormone replacement therapy
Heart disease usually develops over time, so having a long-term relationship with your primary care doctor can assist with detecting any changes. It helps to have your cholesterol checked at age 20, so those numbers can be used as a baseline as you get older.
Your doctor can monitor your numbers, so you can work to manage your blood pressure, cholesterol and weight as needed.