While men are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to women, cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer in both men and women, and there are disparities in care and outcomes of cardiovascular disease in women. Hormones play a protective role in women compared to men, up until a woman goes through menopause. Post-menopause, however, women’s risk of cardiovascular disease goes up, and it predominantly manifests as coronary artery disease.
To discuss differences in heart disease presentation in women and men, physiology, risk stratification, primary prevention and integrative (including pharmaceutical) treatment options, I interviewed a board-certified, integrative cardiologist, Dr. Vivian Kominos. Dr. Kominos’ approach is evidence-based, and informed by decades of experience treating patients, both as an interventional cardiologist and integrative cardiologist. She provides a balanced perspective of how to protect our cardiovascular health and support longevity, taking the whole person health into account. A popular topic with many of our patients, we also discuss how hormone replacement therapy, HRT, affects cardiovascular health, and what cardiovascular risk factors we have to take into account when prescribing it.
I hope you enjoy this interview and I hope that it provides you with useful information to discuss with your physician. If you are a patient of our practice, or would like to become one, feel free to reach out to us at drbojana.com to discuss how to address your cardiovascular health and longevity with advanced diagnostics including advanced lipid panel, coronary artery calcium scan, when applicable, and other risk stratification tools, so that we can personalize your plan to your needs.