Women's heart health in Tennessee

When you choose Ascension Saint Thomas Heart, you get an experienced women's heart care team delivering comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for women of all ages. The heart doctors at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Women’s Clinic Midtown in Nashville, Tennessee, have additional cardiology training in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of women at risk for heart disease. Our doctors specialize in atrial fibrillation (AFib), cardiac symptoms with pregnancy and managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Meet our women’s heart care champions 

Your care team includes a female cardiologist who understands how heart disease is different in women than men. Nishtha Sareen, MD, MPH, is the program director for women's heart health. Your team also includes an interventional cardiologist, electrophysiologist, consulting OB-GYN, dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavioral health specialist.

Our team of experienced cardiologists can also connect you to additional specialists, if needed:

• Bariatric surgeon
• Maternal-fetal medicine specialist
• Oncologist
• Psychologist
• Other specialists at Ascension Saint Thomas

Helping prevent heart disease in women

Get started by having a conversation with your doctor about your health concerns, family history of heart disease and stroke. We’ll also talk about other risk factors for heart disease, including smoking, lack of physical activity, stress and depression. Our doctors specialize in diagnosing many conditions, including pregnancy-related cardiac symptoms. Then, your doctor works with you to create a care plan that is personalized for you. 

Woman’s risk for heart disease: common symptoms and conditions

Our specialists diagnose and treat a wide variety of heart-related conditions, including

• Aortic disease, conditions affecting the largest artery
• Autoimmune diseases
• Chest pain without a clear blockage (microvascular dysfunction)
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Heart valve disorders
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
• How diabetes affects heart health
• Increasingly high heart rate when standing up (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

Gynecologic conditions with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Our women’s heart team provides a comprehensive assessment of heart disease and how a gynecologic condition may be affecting your heart health:

• Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), also called premature menopause
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Heart conditions during and after pregnancy

Experienced cardiologists and maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists provide advanced care for women who develop heart symptoms or are diagnosed with a heart condition before, during or after pregnancy. Conditions include irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia. Ascension Saint Thomas Heart and Tennessee Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) have created the Collaborative Perinatal Cardiac Center (CPCC) to deliver the specialized heart care you need. Your MFM specialist and cardiologist work together with you and your OB-GYN to help manage your symptoms and deliver care for your and your baby’s health. We closely monitor your heart health throughout your pregnancy. Your care team is also here to address any concerns after your delivery. 

Cardiac diagnostic testing 

Your heart care team at the Ascension Saint Thomas Women’s Heart Program uses specialized tests, advanced coronary imaging and minimally invasive coronary interventions to diagnose heart disease prevalent in women. Testing may include:

• Cardiac MRI
• Coronary angiography
• Coronary artery calcium scan
• Echocardiogram (ECHO)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Exercise stress test
• Specialty blood testing for hereditary cardiovascular disease

Comprehensive evaluation of chest pain and other symptoms

Our women’s heart care specialists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of complex conditions, including:

Microvascular dysfunction (MD), a cardiac condition with no significant coronary artery blockage and symptoms of chest pain, pain in the back, arms or jaw, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, palpitations and indigestion. Nearly two-thirds of patients diagnosed with MD are women. Our women’s heart team specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of MD. Our comprehensive cardiac evaluation includes advanced coronary testing. Talk to our women’s heart team about your symptoms and concerns. 

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a cardiovascular condition with symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, palpitations, passing out episodes, and chest pains with no clear cause. This condition affects women of all ages. Your cardiologist specializes in diagnosis and management of POTS – an underdiagnosed health condition. We’re here to listen and understand your concerns. Then, we’ll provide a treatment plan customized for your heart health. 

Schedule an appointment, call 615-284-4HER (4437)

Lifestyle changes to help improve heart health in women

By making lifestyle changes today, you can have an impact on your heart health. Our specialists are dedicated to guiding you with personalized lifestyle recommendations to help prevent or slow the progression of heart disease. We provide dietary guidance and weight management, personalized exercise programs and stress management techniques to help manage your blood pressure, blood sugars and cholesterol.

Get a second opinion on your heart condition, diagnosis or care plan

Gain the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and cardiovascular care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized heart care plan. Call us today at (615) 284-4437 or click on the button below to set up your appointment.

Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.

GET A SECOND OPINION

If you are experiencing chest pain, especially in combination with jaw or arm pain, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting or difficulty breathing, you might be having a heart attack. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.