Researching Heart Disease in Women to Improve Outcomes

The prevalence of heart disease in women is high and is climbing higher, so our team at Piedmont Heart Institute is doing something about it. Women are more likely to die of heart disease – it’s the #1 cause of death in women. We’re working hard to change those statistics by improving women's heart health. Our team believes that when women attend support groups or learn new heart-healthy habits, they are less likely to develop heart disease and more likely to stay focused on heart health, following the recommendations of their clinical team. With this knowledge, we are putting supportive programs in place through efforts such as the Dottie Fuqua Women's Heart Support Network.

Through our research data, we aim to show other healthcare providers that we can improve women’s heart health through education and a dedicated program focused on their care. Through evidence-based medicine, our goal is to prove that with a more holistic approach to heart care, women can live longer and stay healthier. Piedmont Healthcare is so dedicated to this approach to heart care for women that our research effort is internally funded – meaning that Piedmont Healthcare is supporting our program independently, without grants or sponsorship. We’re here to help women – one at a time – because we know we can make a difference.

Wellness Interventions for Women’s Cardiovascular Health

Currently, no widespread community-based intervention programs focus on closing the gaps in cardiovascular health based on gender. Our research study, called Wellness Interventions for Women’s Cardiovascular Health, examines whether enrollment in the Piedmont Women’s Heart Program improves cardiac outcomes and compliance with core measures for female cardiology patients.