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Cardiology for Women

423-778-5661

Offering a distinct focus on women's unique heart health needs

Women’s hearts are truly unique - from the size of their cardiac arteries, to the way blockages develop in those critical vessels. Even symptoms of a heart attack can be different for women, often masquerading as simple nausea or fatigue. That’s why Erlanger has a multidisciplinary team with a distinct focus on a woman’s heart-health needs. We provide specialized services in identifying and treating female-pattern heart disease, offering the latest diagnostic tools, and advancing specialized care for women.  Our services include:

  • Diagnosis and treatment of female-pattern heart disease
  • Reducing the odds of heart disease through prevention, state-of-art screening and testing
  • Helping patients manage the unique risk factors for women

There is no way to predict how a heart attack will present itself. And, as with men, the most common heart attack symptom women experience is chest pain or discomfort. However, women may experience unique symptoms such as:

  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat
  • Nausea or light-headedness
  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

If you ever have any of these signs (particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting or back or jaw pain) and believe you might be having a heart attack, don't wait. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

Susan's Story:

"Listen to Your Body"

On morning walks Susan Fennema began experiencing chest pressure and upper-back aches. She delayed care because the symptoms went away after exercise. She's now very glad she got it checked out. 

Learn More about Women's Heart Symptoms on Our Blog
jennifer-mirza
Cardiology

Jennifer Mirza, DO

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yazan-saba
Interventional Cardiology Cardiology

Yazan G. Saba, DO

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alvaro-manrique
Cardiac Electrophysiology Cardiology

Alvaro Manrique, MD

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kimberly-o'dell
Cardiology

Kimberly O'Dell, MD

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poonam-puri
Interventional Cardiology Cardiology

Poonam Puri, MD, FACC

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diana-alvarez
Cardiology

Diana Alvarez, MD

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Meet Our Team

Erlanger's multidisciplinary team includes Cardiologists and Women's Health physicians working together to address the unique heart health needs of women