Women’s Heart Center

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States?

• Experts believe that one out of every three women could die as a result of heart ailments 
• Women tend to be older than men at the time of diagnosis and to have less “classic” symptoms 
• Their condition is typically more severe (and unfortunately their outcome is often worse) 
• Furthermore, while the rate of death from coronary artery disease (CAD) has dropped for men over the last 20 years, the rate for women has stayed the same 

That’s why we created the Women’s Heart Center at Maine Cardiology Associates in 2002 — Maine’s only heart wellness clinic specializing in women. 

Because you deserve first-class care

Our goal is to provide women with the most progressive, compassionate cardiac care in northern New England.

The Center has four cardiologists on staff specializing in the risk factors, symptoms, and treatments that are unique to women. They take the time to listen, offering friendly, personalized attention — and a wide range of first-class cardiovascular consultative services, diagnostic testing, and interventional treatments. 

Special risk factors for women

 The truth is that women are not less susceptible to heart disease than men. In fact, studies have identified six special risk factors for women’s CAD.

• Hypertension High blood pressure (i.e., higher than 135/85) is probably the most critical risk factor for women
• Diabetes Over time, diabetes damages blood vessels and can contribute to heart disease
• Smoking Even minimal exposure to cigarettes or secondhand smoke increases the risk for women
• High cholesterol High triglycerides and low HDL (“good” cholesterol) is an especially dangerous mix for women
• Family history Women with close female relatives under 65 or close male relatives under 55 with CAD are more likely to contract it themselves
• Being postmenopausal CAD strikes just as many women after menopause as men of the same age

Watch for these danger signs

The main reason CAD and heart attacks are so deadly for women is that their symptoms can be subtle and nonclassic, meaning they’re harder to spot and diagnose — until it’s too late.

• Chest pressure or heaviness upon exertion; these symptoms can also “radiate” to the jaw, throat, arms, or back
• Upper back pressure upon exertion
• Jaw or arm pain or heaviness upon exertion
• Shortness of breath upon exertion
• Indigestion especially with sweating or nausea
• Any of these symptoms can also occur while resting; they should be taken very seriously if accompanied by sweating

If you have any of these symptoms or risk factors for heart disease, please consult your physician promptly. Do not make the mistake of thinking they’re “nothing” or a “false alarm.”

At the Women’s Heart Center, we take the time to listen, offering women friendly, personalized attention—and a full range of cardiovascular consultative services, diagnostic testing, and interventional treatments. When heart wellness becomes your first concern, the Women’s Heart Center should be your first choice.