Women get heart disease too and many don’t realize it until it’s urgent. In this eye-opening conversation, preventive cardiologist Dr. Ijeoma Isiadinso breaks down what every woman should know about cardiovascular risk across life stages, from pregnancy through menopause, and how to take control with evidence-based prevention.

In this episode:

• The #1 myth about women and heart disease and why awareness still lags.

• Traditional & female-specific risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, family history, pregnancy complications, autoimmune disease).

• Lifestyle that protects your heart: Life’s Essential 8, sleep, stress management, and why strength training matters.

• Eating for heart health: Mediterranean & DASH (and the truth about red meat, dairy, and “clean” foods)

• Menopause & heart risk: what changes, what to monitor, and individualized HRT considerations.

• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, RA) and the emerging field of cardio-rheumatology.

• When stress literally hurts your heart: understanding “broken heart syndrome.”

• Smart screening to discuss with your clinician: lipoprotein(a) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score.

• How to find a provider who really listens and what questions to ask.

This conversation is a must-listen for every woman and everyone who cares about transforming healthcare from the inside out.

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#RidingTheBigWheel #WomensHealth #Podcast #WomenInLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #hearthealth

Guest: Dr. Ijeoma Isiadinso, preventive cardiologist specializing in women’s cardiovascular health, risk reduction, and cardio-rheumatology.
Host: Michelle, Riding the Big Wheel

• (00:00:00) - Dr. Izzy Adenso
• (00:01:52) - One of My Favorites: Dr. Izzi Adenso
• (00:03:50) - Women and heart disease
• (00:06:19) - Risk factors for heart disease in women
• (00:07:16) - Modifiable risk factors, health
• (00:07:59) - How to Get Enough Sleep
• (00:10:57) - Healthcare access in rural areas
• (00:12:58) - Preventive Cardiology for Women
• (00:15:14) - Health and eating for heart disease patients
• (00:16:54) - Healthy meals for women with high cholesterol
• (00:20:36) - Lactose intolerant patients and A2 Milk
• (00:22:47) - Exercise and strength training
• (00:27:41) - Heart risks of pregnancy and diabetes
• (00:29:13) - What advice would you give women about their pregnancy?
• (00:30:54) - The Real Story of Menopause
• (00:31:52) - Heart health of women in menopause
• (00:36:29) - Heart disease in rheumatoid arthritis
• (00:40:46) - Heart disease and emotional well being
• (00:45:35) - Heart disease: Broken Heart Syndrome
• (00:48:14) - Heart disease symptoms in women
• (00:53:33) - How to Get Your Physical Every Year
• (00:56:37) - Heart disease, calcium cardiac score
• (00:59:36) - Should Every Woman Have a Cardiologist?
• (01:00:56) - Finding a good healthcare provider
• (01:03:42) - Tips for women's cardiovascular health
• (01:04:44) - Michelle on Cardiac Disease