Heart Disease in Women: Signs, Risks and Prevention

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet the warning signs can be easy to miss or mistaken for stress, menopause or everyday fatigue. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with cardiologist Dr. Andrea Vitello about the symptoms, risk factors and life stages that can affect a woman’s heart health.

They discuss:

•  Subtle heart symptoms women should not ignore, including fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, jaw pain and shoulder discomfort 
•  How pregnancy complications, menopause and autoimmune conditions can influence cardiovascular risk 
•  Why family history, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar matter earlier in life than many people realize 
•  The connection between chronic stress, poor sleep and heart health 
•  What early heart disease prevention and personalized cardiovascular care can look like 
•  Three everyday habits that can make a meaningful difference: healthy eating, quality sleep and regular exercise 
•  Why women should trust their instincts, advocate for themselves and ask questions when something does not feel right 

Dr. Vitello also explains how Baptist Health’s women’s heart program takes a comprehensive, personalized approach to evaluating cardiovascular risk across every stage of life.

Host: Johanna Gomez, award-winning host & journalist

Guest: Andrea Vitello, M.D., cardiologist 
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute