The Women’s Heart Center at the GW Medical Faculty Associates and the GW Heart & Vascular Institute has a mission to support standards of excellence in women’s health care, advance cutting-edge research, foster community initiatives, and educate and advocate for heart health in all women in the Washington, DC region.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States regardless of race or ethnicity. One if four women in the U.S. dies of heart disease. One in eight women between 45 and 65 years has some form of heart disease.
The Women’s Heart Center aims to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease in women. The lack of awareness regarding cardiovascular health means that women often ignore symptoms or delay seeking medical care. Though heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, the majority of women do not know that heart disease and stroke are their greatest health threats. Shockingly less than 10% of primary care physicians know that more women die each year from cardiovascular disease than men. An important step to improving women’s cardiovascular health is education about the causes and symptoms of heart disease in women.
Women’s Heart Center is anchored by five outstanding cardiologists, a dedicated nurse practitioner, and a registered dietitian. These experts have a special interest in reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in women through counseling, education and screening. Diagnosis and management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease are vital to prevent future cardiovascular events.