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6 questions women should ask about heart health

February 04, 2025 | UCI Health
a woman sitting in her doctor's office listening as her doctor answers questions about heart health

When it comes to heart health, women are different. Asking the right questions can save your life.

UCI Health experts encourage women to be their own health champions, to be proactive in communicating with their medical care teams. That includes asking questions about their heart health.

After all, heart disease is the No. 1 health threat facing women as well as men.

Prepare a list of questions

Start by preparing a list of questions about your health concerns before your appointment. Doctors are busy and office appointments are typically brief.

“A patient should not wait for her doctor to bring up things that are weighing on her mind nor should she think that she is wasting her doctor’s time,” says Dr. Ailin Barseghian El-Farra, a UCI Health cardiologist.

“Heart disease affects men and women quite differently and it’s important for women to know what is unique to their heart health," she says.

For example, you may need specialized testing to diagnose a particular type of heart disease that primarily affects women: microvascular disease, a type of angina without a blockage. UCI Health has women's heart health specialists who are experts in diagnosing this type of heart disease.

What to ask your doctor

Barseghian encourages women to ask the following questions of their primary car physician:

  • What is my risk of heart disease based on my family history and my risk factors?
  • What should I be doing to prevent heart disease?
  • What tests do I need to make sure that my heart disease symptoms (such as chest pain, shortness of breath, jaw pain, nausea or fatigue) are not due to heart disease?
  • Are there tests that can detect early heart disease?
  • If I want to start a family, what should I know about my heart health and how will that affect my pregnancy?
  • If you’re a smoker, ask about programs that can help you quit.

"A woman’s relationship with her primary care physician is one of the most important ones she’ll have in her life,” says Barseghian.

“A PCP is the main coordinator of your medical care and serves as an advocate for your overall health and wellness. Knowing what to ask can help to ensure that all medical issues and concerns are being addressed.”

Beyond primary care

Primary care physicians also provide referrals to patients when the level of care needed exceeds the scope of their general practice.

“It’s important for women to know the breadth of medical resources available to her in addition to what her PCP provides,” Barseghian says.

“Physicians at research institutions can provide the latest diagnostic testing and leading-edge treatments for women who may need or want more specialized care.”

Bottom line, Barseghian says, patients can and should take a proactive role in their medical care and be sure to ask their PCPs about the latest trends in research for health-related topics that affect them.

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