Cardiovascular diseases are common, but can differ in terms of risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, course of the disease and treatment depending on gender. In the Women's Heart Consultation of the Women's Heart Health Program, we offer individual and gender-sensitive cardiological care - tailored to the personal needs and life cycle of women.
Special emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary cooperation within the USZ. Together with specialist departments such as gynecology, obstetrics, reproductive endocrinology, endocrinology, neurology, angiology, rheumatology and other specialist disciplines, we provide comprehensive clarification, advice and treatment from a single source.
We advise people with an increased cardiovascular risk on an individual and gender-sensitive basis. We take into account classic risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids, diabetes mellitus, smoking, family history or obesity as well as gender-specific and hormonal factors, pregnancy complications, autoimmune diseases or the menopause. The aim is to identify risks at an early stage, treat them in a targeted manner and jointly develop a sustainable prevention strategy that suits the respective life situation.
We support the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. These include coronary heart disease, some forms of which affect women more frequently or in a particular way. Examples are diseases of the small and smallest heart vessels (INOCA/ANOCA), myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary pathology (MINOCA), including spontaneous coronary dissection, coronary spasms and Tako-Tsubo syndrome (broken heart syndrome).
Another focus is on cardiac arrhythmias. We look after patients with complaints such as palpitations, palpitations, irregular pulse, dizziness or syncope and clarify these specifically. Gender-specific differences in occurrence, symptoms, risk profile, drug effects and treatment decisions can be taken into account. Hormonal influences can also play a role in rhythmological complaints.
Our women’s heart consultation also focuses on heart failure – in particular the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved pumping function – and heart disease in the context of autoimmune diseases.
As part of our interdisciplinary “Pregnancy Heart Team”, we offer cardiological care before, during and after pregnancy. This includes advice and support for patients with congenital heart defects, valvular heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure or cardiomyopathies. The aim is an individual risk assessment and safe, interdisciplinary, coordinated care in close cooperation with obstetrics, gynecology, anesthesiology and other specialist disciplines involved.
Another focus is on pregnancy-associated cardiovascular risks and so-called adverse pregnancy outcomes. These include in particular hypertensive pregnancy diseases such as gestational hypertension, chronic high blood pressure during pregnancy, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, as well as gestational diabetes and miscarriages, premature births or stillbirths. These events can indicate an increased cardiovascular risk later in life. We therefore support cardiological follow-up care and prevention after complicated pregnancies in order to identify risks at an early stage and reduce them in the long term.
Hormonal changes and gynecological-endocrinological diseases can have an impact on the cardiovascular system. These include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, premature menopause and peri- and postmenopausal symptoms. Symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, palpitations, dizziness or a change in exercise tolerance should be clarified by a cardiologist in order to rule out possible cardiac causes and to classify the individual cardiovascular risk.
In some cases, hormone replacement therapy should also be accompanied by cardiology if indicated and assessed in close consultation with gynecology/reproductive endocrinology and on the basis of current evidence. The aim is to provide individual advice that takes hormonal, cardiovascular and personal risk factors into account.
We offer individualized and gender-sensitive cardiological care for people with biological and sociocultural gender variants. These include people after social, hormonal or surgical transition as well as LGBTIQ+ people with specific cardiovascular issues. We take into account biological factors as well as psychosocial and care-related aspects that may be relevant for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
At the University Hospital Zurich, gender-specific cardiac medicine is linked to the Chair of Gender Medicine at the university – this creates a close link between clinical practice, research and teaching.
With the Women’s Heart Health Program, the USZ is closing an important gap in care. Our patients benefit from a high level of specialist expertise, the latest research and care that takes their specific needs seriously – for sustainable heart health.
Attending Physician, Clinic for Cardiology
Senior Physician, Clinic for Cardiology
Patients can register directly for the women’s heart consultation. Alternatively, a referral by the attending physician is also possible.
University Hospital Zurich
University Heart Center Zurich
Rämistrasse 100
8091 Zurich