By Dr. Estela Thano, DO, FACC
Ask most women what health threat worries them most, and many will name breast cancer. Yet cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States. In 2023 alone, it claimed 433,254 women’s lives, according to the American Heart Association. That is nearly half of all cardiovascular deaths in the country.
The encouraging news is that much of this risk can be prevented. Most heart disease develops quietly over decades, shaped by blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and daily habits. That long runway gives women time to act. Preventive cardiology is built on that idea: find risk early, treat it early, and keep heart disease from ever taking hold.
A Woman’s Heart Speaks Differently
For years, heart research focused mostly on men. As a result, many women still picture a heart attack as crushing chest pain and a dramatic collapse. Chest pain remains the most common symptom for both sexes. But women are more likely to have subtler warning signs that are easy to dismiss.
These can include:
• Unusual or overwhelming fatigue, often the most common sign
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Pain in the jaw, neck, upper back or between the shoulder blades
• Nausea, indigestion or a feeling of heartburn
• Dizziness, light-headedness or a cold sweat
Because these symptoms can mimic stress, the flu or simply being busy, women often wait longer to seek care. If you notice several of these together without another clear cause, call 911. Minutes matter.
Women also face risk factors that men do not. Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are now recognized as early warnings of future heart disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), certain autoimmune conditions and the drop in estrogen that comes with menopause can all raise risk as well.
What Preventive Cardiology Looks Like
Preventive cardiology shifts the focus from treating a heart attack to stopping one before it happens. It starts with a conversation about your personal and family history, your pregnancies, your sleep, your stress and your goals. From there, a cardiologist builds a picture of your true risk.
Every woman should know a few key numbers:
• Blood pressure. High blood pressure affects about 43% of American women, yet fewer than one in three of them have it under control.
• Cholesterol. More than a third of women have total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher.
• Blood sugar. Nearly one in three women has prediabetes, and many do not know it.
• Weight and waist size. Excess weight, especially around the middle, strains the heart.
When these numbers point to higher risk, advanced testing can reveal what is happening inside the arteries and heart muscle. Depending on your needs, this may include an echocardiogram, a stress test, a coronary calcium scan or extended heart-rhythm monitoring. These tools help your cardiologist decide whether lifestyle changes are enough or whether medication would add protection.
Lifestyle remains the foundation. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, such as brisk walking or swimming. Fill your plate with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish and healthy fats. Do not smoke, limit alcohol, and treat seven to nine hours of sleep as non-negotiable. Small, steady changes add up to real protection.
Heart Health at Every Stage of Life
A woman’s heart needs change over time. In your 20s and 30s, establish healthy habits and know your baseline numbers. If you had preeclampsia, high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy, tell every doctor you see, even years later. Around menopause, cholesterol and blood pressure often rise, making regular checkups more important than ever.
After 65, the focus turns to managing existing conditions, staying active and watching for irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, which raises stroke risk. No matter your age, it is never too early or too late to start protecting your heart.
When to See a Cardiologist
You do not need to wait for symptoms. Consider a preventive cardiology visit if you have a family history of early heart disease, a past pregnancy complication, or numbers that are creeping upward.
At Thano Cardiology, care begins with listening. Dr. Thano takes time to understand each woman’s story and builds a personalized plan for lifelong heart health. Your heart works for you every second of every day. Give it the same attention in return, and schedule your preventive visit today.
Dr. Estela Thano, DO, FACC, is a board-certified cardiologist who has served Southwest Florida for over a decade. She specializes in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, with a special interest in women’s heart health. Founded on the philosophy “Practice with Heart,” Thano Cardiology combines advanced technology with compassionate, personalized care.
239-421-8500
thanocardiology.com
14230 Metropolis Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33912-4435
Sources
• American Heart Association, 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: U.S. Females and CVD
• Cleveland Clinic, Women and Cardiovascular Disease