Cardiology

Women's Heart Health

womens heart health

Women’s Cardiovascular Health Clinic

The Women’s Heart Program provides highly specialized care for women throughout their lifespan with a unique emphasis on sex-specific cardiovascular risk factors for the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality for women despite increasing awareness and national recognition. Over the last decade, Women’s Heart Programs such as ours have laid the foundation for the specialized care of women through clinical care, community engagement, education, and research.

Highly Specialized Care for Women's Heart Health

Dr. Daniela Crousillat of the USF Health Women's Heart Program explains the importance of cardiovascular healthcare for women.

What sets our program apart?

  • We are the first and only academic women’s heart program in the Tampa Bay region and surrounding area.
  • We are the only program in Florida that is an active enrolling site for the iSCAD registry for women with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
  • We believe women’s heart health deserves special attention, and our specialized team of experts are here to deliver world-class care for the prevention and treatment of heart disease for women.
  • The University of South Florida and its academic leaders are at the forefront of cutting-edge treatments and research which allows us to provide world-class care to our patients.

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve the cardiovascular health of the women in our diverse communities with the ultimate goal of reducing sex differences in the care and outcome of women.

Program Goals

  • Improve awareness and education of community and providers in the care of women with heart disease.
  • Elevate our academic mission through the publication and dissemination of our program’s academic projects and research endeavors.

Our Program's Specializations

Our Women’s Heart program specializes in the prevention and treatment of heart disease for women throughout their lifespan with cardiac conditions disproportionately affecting women including:

  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
  • Cardiomyopathy including Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and peripartum cardiomyopathy
  • Coronary microvascular disease (Link to CMD program)
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
    • Female Predominant Cardiac Conditions
      Provide comprehensive and longitudinal care for conditions including SCAD, non-obstructive coronary artery disease, coronary microvascular dysfunction, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
    • Female Specific Cardiac Conditions
      Provide cardiac risk stratification for women with pregnancy complications including pregnancy-related diabetes and hypertension, history of breast cancer, and autoimmune disease.

  • Sex-specific risk assessment and diagnostic testing including the use of advanced cardiac imaging to formulate individualized prevention plans.

    • Detailed assessment of sex specific risk factors for heart disease unique to women including reproductive risk factors, pregnancy complications, and menopause transition
    • Advanced cardiac imaging including coronary calcium and CTA to assess for presence of CAD
    • Prognostic laboratory testing for risk of future heart disease

  • Pre-conception, pregnancy, and post-partum care for women with pre-existing heart disease or cardiac complications in pregnancy.

    • Preconception counseling – Including pregnancy risk assessment, medication adjustment, genetic testing and counseling, pre-pregnancy cardiac testing and the formulation of a pregnancy care plan
    • Management of cardiovascular diseases through pregnancy and delivery – Including longitudinal care by our cardio obstetrical team, close monitoring of the health of the mother and baby and delivery planning
    • Postpartum cardiovascular care – Including specialized care available through our Heathy Hearts Program (hyperlink?) for women with cardiovascular or hypertensive complications during pregnancy, cardiovascular disease risk stratification and transition of care
  • USF Health Maternal Fetal Medicine

    We collaborate closely with USF Health Maternal Fetal Medicine-Obstetrical faculty at weekly Cardio Obstetrics Clinic where we provide cardiovascular care for women with pre-existing heart disease or acquired heart disease in pregnancy. Our areas of clinical expertise include pre-conception counseling, pregnancy risk assessment, management of cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, aortopathy) through pregnancy and delivery, and postpartum cardiovascular care.

    If health issues arise during pregnancy they could be indicators that your heart health is at risk, as pregnancy puts extra stressors on the circulatory and heart system.

    Dr. Alejandro Rodriguez an expert in Maternal and Fetal Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dr. Daniela Crousillat specializing in Cardio-Obstetrics join forces to deliver a happy healthy outcome for mom and baby. 

    Speaking with your doctor about your medical history and engaging  with a cardiovascular specialist if necessary will reduce the risk and produce healthier outcomes. Women who have experienced the following could be at greater risk for heart attack or stroke

    • High Blood Pressure with Pregnancy, Preeclampsia or Eclampsia
    • Gestational Diabetes
    • Preterm birth delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy 

    Heart Health After Pregnancy

    After giving birth it is important to follow up with your doctor if you experience:

    • Chest pain
    • Difficulty breathing when laying flat
    • Headache
    • Heart palpitations
    • High blood pressure - 140/90 mmHg
    • Leg swelling
    • Shortness of breath
    • Vision changes

Our Women's Heart Team

Our Women’s Heart team is composed of specialists in multiple cardiovascular subspecialties including prevention, cardiac imaging, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, heart failure, and cardiothoracic surgery to assist in your care when necessary.

The collaboration among these subspecialties allows for an alignment of multidisciplinary care and the ability to optimize outcomes.