Women's Cardiac Care Team in the News

Brown University Health's Women Cardiologists Leading the Way in Improving Cardiac Care

Brown University Health's leadership in cardiology gained attention for its work in improving heart care for women and promoting gender diversity in the field. The Providence Journal recently highlighted the organization’s efforts to expand research, raise awareness about women's distinct heart health needs, and increase the number of female cardiologists. Please note: Access to this article may require a subscription or payment.

Addressing An Important Gap

At the forefront of this work are Dr. Athena Poppas, director of the Cardiovascular Institute and chief of cardiology at Brown University Health, Dr. Kate French, director of the Women’s Cardiac Center at The Miriam Hospital, Dr. Dawn Abbott, director of the cardiac catheterization lab, and Janine Lairmore, head of cardiovascular services. Together, these leaders are addressing an important gap: the traditional male-focused approach in cardiology, where women’s heart attack symptoms often go unrecognized.

Despite making up half of the population, women account for only 20% to 30% of participants in medical studies, and their heart attack symptoms frequently differ from men's. 

This results in many women being misdiagnosed or overlooked in cardiac care. Brown University Health is addressing this by increasing the number of female cardiologists and investing in research and technologies that focus on women’s heart health.