For too long, heart disease has been treated as a "male problem," leaving women’s symptoms dismissed as anxiety or "just stress."
In this episode of It’s All Connected, we’re breaking down the female-specific signals—from why pregnancy acts as a lifelong cardiovascular stress test to how the menopause transition stiffens blood vessels. We’re moving beyond the EKG to discuss why how you describe your pain matters just as much as your lab results.
For too long, heart disease has been treated as a "male problem," leaving women’s symptoms dismissed as anxiety or "just stress."
In this episode of It’s All Connected, we’re breaking down the female-specific signals—from why pregnancy acts as a lifelong cardiovascular stress test to how the menopause transition stiffens blood vessels. We’re moving beyond the EKG to discuss why how you describe your pain matters just as much as your lab results.
Dr. Sahar Naderi is a cardiologist with extensive experience in women’s cardiovascular health. She specializes in conditions that disproportionately impact women or are unique to women’s heart health, including Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) and cardiovascular complications in pregnancy. Her expertise also includes genetic cardiovascular conditions that affect pregnancy and other cardiovascular diseases more common in women. In addition, Dr. Naderi focuses on valvular and aortic diseases, such as Marfan Syndrome and other rare vascular conditions.
Dr. Sahar Naderi is a cardiologist with extensive experience in women’s cardiovascular health. She specializes in conditions that disproportionately impact women or are unique to women’s heart health, including Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) and cardiovascular complications in pregnancy. Her expertise also includes genetic cardiovascular conditions that affect pregnancy and other cardiovascular diseases more common in women. In addition, Dr. Naderi focuses on valvular and aortic diseases, such as Marfan Syndrome and other rare vascular conditions.
Dr. Nieca Goldberg is a nationally recognized pioneer in women’s cardiovascular health and an advocate for gender equity in heart disease diagnosis and care. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the founder of the NYU Women’s Heart Program—one of the first of its kind in the country. A prolific author and speaker, Dr. Goldberg has dedicated her career to identifying and correcting the systemic blind spots in cardiology that leave women misdiagnosed, under-treated, or dismissed. She is also a medical advisor for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign and a tireless public educator.
Dr. Nieca Goldberg is a nationally recognized pioneer in women’s cardiovascular health and an advocate for gender equity in heart disease diagnosis and care. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the founder of the NYU Women’s Heart Program—one of the first of its kind in the country. A prolific author and speaker, Dr. Goldberg has dedicated her career to identifying and correcting the systemic blind spots in cardiology that leave women misdiagnosed, under-treated, or dismissed. She is also a medical advisor for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign and a tireless public educator.
Marcia L. Stefanick, Ph.D is a Professor of Medicine Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and by courtesy, Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Stefanick’s research focuses on chronic disease prevention (particularly, heart disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and dementia) in both women and men. She is currently the Principal Investigator the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Extension Study. As the founding Director of the Stanford Women’s Health and Sex Diversity in Medicine (WHSDM, “wisdom”) Center, she plays a major role in promoting research and teaching on Sex and Gender in Human Physiology and Disease, Women’s Health, and Queer Health and Medicine. Dr. Stefanick also holds major leadership roles at the Stanford School of Medicine, including co-leader of the Population Sciences Program at the Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford’s NCI-funded comprehensive cancer center.
Marcia L. Stefanick, Ph.D is a Professor of Medicine Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and by courtesy, Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Stefanick’s research focuses on chronic disease prevention (particularly, heart disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and dementia) in both women and men. She is currently the Principal Investigator the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Extension Study. As the founding Director of the Stanford Women’s Health and Sex Diversity in Medicine (WHSDM, “wisdom”) Center, she plays a major role in promoting research and teaching on Sex and Gender in Human Physiology and Disease, Women’s Health, and Queer Health and Medicine. Dr. Stefanick also holds major leadership roles at the Stanford School of Medicine, including co-leader of the Population Sciences Program at the Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford’s NCI-funded comprehensive cancer center.
Women’s heart health isn’t static or one-size-fits-all. Cardiovascular risk changes across the lifespan, shaped by hormones, pregnancy history, metabolic health, stress, autoimmune conditions, and the menopause transition. When care looks at the heart in isolation, symptoms get missed and risk goes unrecognized. A more complete approach listens closely, understands how women describe symptoms, and connects heart health with reproductive history, mental health, and life-stage changes, leading to earlier detection and better long-term outcomes.