Cardiology

Cardiovascular Program for Women

The Cardiovascular Program for Women has a team devoted to identifying early predictors of heart disease among women. Established in 2001 and led by Dr. Joan Briller, the program is the most comprehensive of its kind in Chicago, providing state-of-the-art cardiac screening, prevention, and therapy services, in addition to specialized care for pregnant women with heart disease.

At UI Health, we understand that the symptoms and complications of heart disease in women are different, and our team of specialists work together to address these unique conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular complications during pregnancy that result in cardiovascular disease
• Complications from congenital heart disease during pregnancy
• Coronary microvascular disease (small vessel disease or cardiac syndrome X)
• Effects of Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and polycystic on the heart
• Familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder that causes early onset heart disease
• Functional amenorrhea, which accelerates heart disease
• Impact due to gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and pregnancy-related hypertension
• Pulmonary hypertension in women
• Risk of heart disease due to diabetes or menopause

The Cardiovascular Program for Women is supported by an Internal Referral Network, including a dietitian, cardiovascular imaging specialists, a cardiothoracic surgeon, an electrophysiologist, an endocrinologist, and a gynecologist.
Our care begins with an initial risk assessment by performing a complete medical history and cardiac exam, which will help form your unique prevention and treatment plan; additional tests, such as lab tests or imaging, also may be required for your evaluation. Depending on the patient's unique needs, recommendations may include:

• Blood pressure management
• Cholesterol management
• Diabetes/blood sugar management
• Heart-healthy diet plan
• Personalized exercise prescription
• Smoking-cessation advice
• Stress-management techniques
• Weight-management programs

Our care focuses on understanding your unique needs to help you make healthy lifestyle changes to help prevent or slow the progression of heart disease.

To request an appointment with the Cardiovascular Program for Women, please call 312.996.6480.