Raising Awareness of Women’s Heart Health

VCU Pauley Heart Center hosted the second annual Heart Health in Women Symposium on Feb. 4 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Phoebe Ashley, M.D., and Jordana Kron, M.D., co-chaired the event for the second year, and were among the many VCU cardiologists who spoke that day.

“Our goal is to update and educate healthcare professionals so that women receive state-of-the-art cardiovascular care throughout Virginia and the surrounding areas,” said Ashley.

The event, which began with breakfast and concluded at noon, drew 70 participants who were physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses.

“One highlight of our program was Dr. Reavey-Cantwell’s discussion of stroke in women. He outlined the unique features of stroke in women, the high incidence of stoke, particularly in young women, and unique risk factors in women. He was very well-received,” said Ashley.

Other topics included exercise and cardiac rehab in women, pregnancy and the heart, and a panel discussion on “Survivorship: The Heart of the Breast Cancer Patient” that included specialists in cardio-oncology and heart failure.
“The participants seemed to really enjoy the program with many being interested in moving it to a full-day event,” said Ashley. “We plan to annually bring the most up-to-date information relating to women’s cardiovascular health to continue to advance heart health in our community.”

ABOVE: DR. INNA TCHOUKINA, DR. DEBORAH KOEHN, DR. HEM BHARDWAJ, DR. PHOEBE ASHLEY, DR. JORDANA KRON, DR. JENNIFER SALLUZZO, DR. SUSAN WOLVER, AND DR. JOHN REAVEY-CANTWELL WERE AMONG THE SPEAKERS AT THE HEART HEALTH IN WOMEN SYMPOSIUM. THE EVENT RAISED AWARENESS ABOUT THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF WOMEN’S HEART DISEASE, THE NO. 1 KILLER OF WOMEN AND THE CAUSE OF DEATH IN 1 OF 3 WOMEN.

Heart Health in Women’s Symposium on Saturday, February 3, at the Virginia Historic Society Museum.