The Symptoms Women Miss — And Why It's Killing Them

February is Heart Month and Go Red for Women Month — and the timing couldn't be more important. Heart disease remains the number one killer of women in America, yet women are still less likely to get bystander CPR during cardiac arrest, less likely to be included in clinical trials, and more likely to dismiss the very symptoms that could save their lives.
In this eye-opening episode, Monica sits down with Dr. Ayesha Sarraj, MetroHealth cardiologist and director of their cath lab, and Shelley Weber, executive director of the local American Heart Association chapter, for a conversation every woman — and the people who love them — needs to hear.
They dig into the surprising connection between menopause and heart disease. As estrogen levels drop, so does the body's natural protection against high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease. That steady climb in cardiovascular risk after menopause is real — and it often goes unrecognized.
Then there are the symptoms that don't look like a heart attack at all. That acid reflux that comes on when you're walking? The shoulder pain you blamed on arthritis? The sudden, unexplained fatigue? Women are presenting to emergency rooms with massive heart attacks after days of dismissing exactly those warning signs. Dr. Sarraj shares what to watch for and why women — especially those with a history of preeclampsia or pregnancy complications — need to advocate loudly for themselves.
Stroke risk gets equal time, including the warning signs that disappear and get ignored — and shouldn't. A fleeting loss of vision, a moment of dizziness, a minor speech issue that resolves on its own — these could all be the precursor to something far more serious. The message is clear: even when symptoms fade, get checked.
Shelley Weber breaks down what the American Heart Association is doing systematically to close the gaps — from pushing for expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage, to investing in women's health research through their Women's Venture Fund, to giving women direct access to clinical trials through the Research Goes Red platform.
The bottom line from both guests? Most risk factors are self-modifiable — and screening saves lives. If you have a family history, start at 30. If you don't, start at 40. And never, ever wait.
Your heart is in your hands. This episode shows you exactly how to protect it.

Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.