For many years, heart disease was thought to affect men primarily, but the reality is that women also experience heart disease — and are more likely to die from it. Women have unique risk factors and symptoms that may not be as well known. That’s why we focus on women’s heart health at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.
When you think about common causes of death among U.S. women, you might be surprised to learn that heart disease is the most common cause — by far. While approximately 1 in 39 women die of breast cancer in any given year, 1 in 3 women die of some type of cardiovascular disease.
Those numbers illuminate why we’re focusing on women’s heart health. We’re committed to empowering women in the Mid-South to understand and control their heart health with the support and resources of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.
Take a Heart Health Risk Assessment to learn if you should see a Methodist Le Bonheur cardiologist.
While it may sound like a single medical condition, heart disease encompasses many different heart health issues. At Methodist, we offer comprehensive care for the full spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, with a specific emphasis on women’s heart health.
We provide cardiovascular care in multiple locations throughout the Mid-South region, allowing you to choose the facility that’s convenient for you. We offer advanced diagnostic services and the treatment options you need, including heart surgery or interventional cardiology procedures.
When it comes to your heart, you want a team of experts to provide you with exceptional care. At Methodist Le Bonheur, our providers and services are recognized for high-quality care, and we have also earned numerous accreditations and awards, giving you the confidence that you’re in the best hands for your heart health.
At Methodist, we have a team of providers dedicated to women’s heart health:
Women are affected by many of the same heart health conditions that men face, but they also experience some unique heart issues. We offer cardiovascular care for any heart problem a woman may face, including:
Our providers also offer care for pregnancy-related heart health issues, including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and peripartum cardiomyopathy.
When you see a heart attack depicted on TV, it’s often shown as a man experiencing sudden, intense chest pain. A heart attack — or heart disease more broadly — can and frequently does affect women differently.
Knowing the symptoms and recognizing that something isn’t quite right with your heart can be lifesaving. Symptoms of a heart attack may include:
Women may also experience unique symptoms of a heart attack, such as:
While many women experience chest pain during a heart attack, the symptom is slightly less likely in women than in men. According to the National Library of Medicine, women who have a specific type of heart disease known as coronary artery disease are more likely than men to experience chest pain while at rest rather than while exercising.