Free Heart Screenings Aim to Identify Women at High Cardiovascular Risk

To address the critical data gap in women's cardiovascular health, Dr. Nishtha Sareen, medical director of the Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Women's Program, is leading a Nashville initiative to provide 2,030 free heart screenings by the year 2030. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet it often presents with subtle or "silent" symptoms like fatigue or jaw pain that differ significantly from the typical chest pain seen in men. By offering comprehensive evaluations including EKGs and specialist consultations, the program aims to identify high-risk patients who might otherwise delay care due to family or work obligations. Beyond immediate life-saving interventions, Dr. Sareen and her team will use the data collected from these screenings to fuel much-needed research into how heart disease uniquely progresses in women, helping to combat a projected rise in cardiovascular issues among younger demographics.

Read more at The Tennessean.