This is a conversation we should have had decades ago, because we're talking about a part of women's health that's been overlooked for too long: heart health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, but most don't even know it. In this episode, Tamsen Fadal sits down with cardiologist and Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News, Dr. Tara Narula to break down how cardiovascular disease develops in women, why heart attack symptoms look different than they do in men, and the cardiac risk screening tools (including the...
This is a conversation we should have had decades ago, because we're talking about a part of women's health that's been overlooked for too long: heart health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, but most don't even know it. In this episode, Tamsen Fadal sits down with cardiologist and Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News, Dr. Tara Narula to break down how cardiovascular disease develops in women, why heart attack symptoms look different than they do in men, and the cardiac risk screening tools (including the calcium score and the Lp(a) test) that could save your life.
Tamsen and Dr. Narula discuss:
- Why heart disease risk builds earlier than most women think, and the life stages where it quietly accelerates
- The calcium score test that tells you exactly how much plaque is in your arteries
- The Lp(a) blood test that 1 in 5 women have elevated, is not controlled by diet or exercise, and almost nobody knows to ask for
- Why women are regularly sent home from emergency rooms with chest pain and told it is anxiety
- How pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes predict future cardiac risk
- What GLP-1 medications are actually doing for the heart beyond weight loss
- The PREVENT calculator you can run online today to see your 10 and 30 year cardiovascular risk
- What the research actually says about hormone replacement therapy and heart health
- Why resilience after a cardiac diagnosis is not about going back to who you were
Plus, Tamsen explains why heart disease was never on her radar, and what Dr. Narula told her in this conversation that she wishes someone had said years ago.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
PREVENT Risk Calculator
Centrum Silver: here and here
Follow Dr. Narula on Instagram
Follow Dr. Narula on Facebook
If you liked this conversation, check this out: The Menopause Heart Doctor Reveals the 3 Warning Signs Doctors Dismiss with Dr. Jayne Morgan
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Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show.
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