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Cardiology

Women’s Heart Health: Insights, Experience & the Future of Women’s Cardiovascular Health

with Dr. Sarika Desai, CEO & Cardiologist – Arizona Heart 360

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The Urgent Need to Address Women's Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet women’s heart health remains widely misunderstood—too often, their symptoms are overlooked, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as stress. Women don’t always experience the classic “chest pain” of a heart attack. Instead, they may feel extreme fatigue, nausea, or even discomfort in their jaw or back—symptoms that are easy to brush off but could be life-threatening.

This National Wear Red Day, we’re highlighting the urgent need to change the narrative around women’s heart health. Dr. Sarika Desai, CEO and Cardiologist at Arizona Heart 360, shares her insights, personal experiences, and what needs to be done to ensure women get the care they deserve—before it’s too late. 

The Significance of National Wear Red Day

Observed on the first Friday in February, National Wear Red Day raises awareness about the impact of heart disease on women and encourages proactive prevention. Spearheaded by the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative, this annual event brings individuals and communities together to highlight cardiovascular risk factors—such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol—that often become more pronounced after menopause. 

While heart disease has historically been described as a “man’s disease,” research increasingly shows that this misconception has led to women’s symptoms being overlooked or dismissed—sometimes with serious consequences. 

“It’s easy to dismiss women who come in with unusual symptoms,” says Dr. Desai. “They’re sometimes labeled as emotional or anxious, which means many of them aren’t diagnosed until they’re in real danger.”

The Dismissal of Women's Symptoms: A Dangerous Pattern

“It’s easy to dismiss women who come in with unusual symptoms,” says Dr. Desai. “They’re sometimes labeled as emotional or anxious, which means many of them aren’t diagnosed until they’re in real danger.”

Dr. Desai sees this pattern play out frequently in her practice. Many women seek second opinions only after being told their symptoms are “nothing to worry about.” She estimates that nearly every day, at least one or two of her patients deny experiencing symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease—revealing just how much work still needs to be done in patient education. 

A Personal Mission: How Dr. Desai's Journey Has Shaped Her Advocacy for Women's Heart Health

Dr. Desai wears many hats: cardiologist, CEO, mother, educator, mentor, and—like all of us at some point—a patient herself. Her perspective is shaped not only by her clinical expertise but by the countless women she treats each year and her own personal experiences.

Early in her career, she encountered a patient case that profoundly shaped her approach. A husband was admitted in heart failure, and thanks to the care he received, he was able to recover. But just one month later, his wife—whom Dr. Desai had seen every day in the hospital—passed away from an undiagnosed heart issue.

“She was never our patient,” Dr. Desai recalls. “That was a turning point for me—never again would I miss also asking if their spouse’s health was OK.”

“She was never our patient,” Dr. Desai recalls. “That was a turning point for me—never again would I miss also asking if their spouse’s health was OK.” 

Her commitment to holistic, proactive care was further cemented by her own mother’s diagnosis of heart disease at just 32 years old. “It was a defining moment in my life,” she says. “Even now, I’m motivated by my mother’s experience to ensure I never let a similar situation go unnoticed.”

How Women's Heart Disease Differs from Men's

One of the critical messages Dr. Desai reinforces is that women’s heart disease presents differently than men’s.

  • Men’s Symptoms: Classic chest pain radiating down one arm.
  • Women’s Symptoms: Nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, excessive sweating, jaw pain, or a general sense of “feeling off.”

These differences often lead to misdiagnosis or delays in care. According to the Mayo Clinic, post-menopausal hormonal changes can further complicate women’s heart health, accelerating risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

“As women, we must recognize that our symptoms may not always be the typical ‘chest pain,’” says Dr. Desai. “A patient might complain of shoulder or jaw discomfort, or simply ‘feeling off.’ It’s critical that physicians ask the right questions and listen closely.”

“As women, we must recognize that our symptoms may not always be the typical ‘chest pain,’” says Dr. Desai. “A patient might complain of shoulder or jaw discomfort, or simply ‘feeling off.’ It’s critical that physicians ask the right questions and listen closely.”

The Role of Second Opinions and Advocacy in Women's Heart Health

Many of Dr. Desai’s patients seek her care only after previously being dismissed by other healthcare providers. She emphasizes the importance of women advocating for themselves:

“A significant percentage of the women I treat have been told, ‘It’s nothing—don’t worry,’ or ‘You’re just being emotional.’ If they hadn’t kept pushing for answers, their conditions might have gone untreated. In so many cases, second opinions have saved lives.”

She advises women to know their family health history, as conditions like thyroid imbalances, adrenal issues, sleep apnea, and menopause-related complications can all contribute to heart disease—many of which are overlooked in women’s healthcare discussions.

The Role of Technology in Women's Heart Health

In her own clinic, Dr. Desai utilizes technologies like UltraLinQ to streamline image-sharing and remote collaboration, ensuring patients receive fast, coordinated care. 

As a solo practitioner and a woman in cardiology, she needed a cardiac monitoring solution that was both powerful and easy to implement in a smaller clinic setting. UltraLinQ’s UbiqVue has helped her enhance patient care, improve diagnostic efficiency, and provide a more connected healthcare experience. 

Optimism for the Future of Women's Cardiovascular Care

Despite the historical gaps in research and awareness, Dr. Desai is hopeful about the future. She points to:

  • The growing number of female cardiologists
  • More women participating in clinical trials
  • Women in leadership positions at major cardiovascular organizations, including Cathleen Gates, CEO at the American College of Cardiology

“From the American Heart Association to national medical societies, we are seeing more women involved in research, policy-making, leadership, and guideline development,” Dr. Desai says.

Loma Linda University Health also notes that more targeted interventions and studies on women’s cardiovascular health are emerging, closing the research gap that has existed for decades.

Wear Red, Start the Conversation

On this National Wear Red Day—and every day— we all have a role to play in advocating for women’s heart health. 

Dr. Desai’s message to women is simple: Be proactive. Speak up. Get regular check-ups. 

“If you feel like something isn’t right, trust your instincts. And if you’re not satisfied with one physician’s answer, please don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion.” 

By continuing to elevate women’s voices in healthcare, advancing research, and utilizing modern technology, we can ensure that women’s heart health receives the attention it deserves—saving lives, one conversation at a time. 

About Arizona Heart 360

At Arizona Heart 360, Dr. Sarika Desai provides comprehensive, patient-focused cardiovascular care with a strong emphasis on prevention and wellness—particularly important as women enter and move beyond menopause. Her practice integrates the latest diagnostic tools and treatments with a collaborative, supportive approach, ensuring patients understand their unique risk factors and the steps they can take to protect their heart health. By combining evidence-based medicine with tailored lifestyle guidance, Dr. Desai’s team helps women proactively manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and other key markers, all with the goal of mitigating the heightened cardiovascular risks that can arise as hormone levels shift after menopause.

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