Heart Smart 101

WomenHeart's network of leading heart health care professionals answer common questions about heart disease.

The Basics

How does the heart work?

What is...?

Heart muscle problems:

Cardiomyopathy
Congestive heart failure

Heart valve problems

Endocarditis

Coronary heart disease

Coronary artery disease
Atherosclerosis
Angina
Myocardial infarction
Microvascular disease/endothelial dysfunction

Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia)

Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
Atrial fibrillation
Sudden cardiac death/cardiac arrest

Other cardiovascular diseases:

Aortic aneurysm
Pulmonary hypertension
Pericarditis
Peripheral vascular disease
Stroke
Congenital heart disease

I'm having...

Heart catheterization
Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
Coronary artery stenting
Coronary artery bypass grafting
Permanent pacemaker
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
Heart valve replacement or repair
Heart transplant

Good Cholesterol Through Good Nutrition

It is important to make sure that your blood cholesterol levels are in check because high cholesterol, in particular low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is a major risk factor for heart disease. Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD of The Pennsylvania State University explains how cholesterol can affect progression of heart disease and shares her tips to lowering cholesterol through nutrition.

Why Women of Color May Face Higher Risks for Heart

Statistics show that about 68% of white women know that heart disease is the leading killer of women, compared to only 31% of black women and 29% of Hispanic women. Dr. Jennifer Mieres of New York University School of Medicine and Author of Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas, helps us understand why women of color have greater challenges when it comes to heart disease.

Q&A with Sharonne N. Hayes, MD

New studies continue to point out the life-threatening differences in the way women and men are treated for heart care. WomenHeart spoke to Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, director of the Women’s Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to learn more about why the inequities continue and how women can empower themselves and others to achieve equal and quality care for their hearts.