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February is American Heart Month, and The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati is focusing on raising awareness about heart disease and cardiovascular health. Providers at the hospital's Heart & Vascular Institute will participate in Go Red Day by wearing red on February 7.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women, but it is largely preventable. Statistics show that cardiovascular diseases are responsible for nearly one in three female deaths annually, with a woman dying approximately every 80 seconds. However, 80% of cardiac and stroke events could be prevented through education and proactive measures.
The Christ Hospital Women’s Heart Center, led by Dr. Odayme Quesada, offers specialized cardiovascular care tailored to women throughout their lives. The center addresses various heart conditions requiring expert knowledge, such as coronary microvascular and vasomotor dysfunction (CMVD), pregnancy-related heart health issues, and prevention strategies for high-risk women.
The CMVD program at the Women's Heart Center deals with damage to tiny blood vessels in the heart that can reduce blood flow and cause chest pain. This condition often goes undiagnosed due to normal results from standard cardiac tests. Dr. Quesada has published work highlighting how she developed this program into a nationally recognized center for clinical care, diagnostics, and research.
“Very few centers around the country, or even the world, focus on women’s specific cardiac care,” said Dr. Quesada. “The more we study how heart disease affects women, the more we learn about important differences compared to men.”
Dr. Quesada also leads research efforts to bridge gaps in understanding women's heart disease with support from the National Institutes of Health. She collaborates with local organizations to raise awareness among Black and Hispanic/Latino communities disproportionately affected by heart disease.
The Women's Heart Center continues its expansion with new team member Dr. Shree Lata Radhakrishnan joining as a specialist in women's cardiovascular disease prevention.
For further information or appointments at The Christ Hospital Women’s Heart Center, individuals can call (513) 585-2140.
The Christ Hospital Health Network includes an acute care hospital in Mt. Auburn, a remote location in Liberty Township, outpatient centers, and medical offices across the region. With over 1,300 physicians and 7,200 staff members committed to improving community health affordably, it was recognized as Cincinnati's top hospital by U.S. News & World Report and featured on Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list in 2024.
