New patients complete a questionnaire prior to their first appointment to pinpoint individual risk factors for heart disease and other diseases common to women. This risk assessment report becomes the basis for each patient's unique heart disease prevention and treatment plan.

After reviewing the patient's medical history and risk assessment report, and conducting a complete cardiac exam, fingerstick cholesterol panel and blood sugar testing, a cardiology nurse practitioner and cardiologist formulate an individualized plan. Additional testing may be indicated and may include:

• Arrhythmia Diagnosis
• Cardiovascular Intervention Center
• Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) scan
• Coronary angiography
• Coronary calcium scan
• Coronary reactivity test
• CT angiogram
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Electrophysiology testing
• Exercise stress testing
• External counter pulsation treatment
• Heart Watch
• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
• Pacing Echocardiography
• Rest and stress echocardiogram
• Speciality blood testing for inherited disorders
• Specialty invasive testing including acetylcholine coronary endothelial function and adenosine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Stress and dobutamine echocardiology
• Stress radionuclide perfusion or stress test
• Tilt table testing
• Transesophageal echocardiography

The traditional risk factors for heart disease are similar between men and women. There are differences in how strongly they affect women, and some risk factors (such as a premature menopause or pregnancy-related conditions) uniquely impact women. The staff of the Cedars-Sinai Women's Heart Center is knowledgeable about these differences and helps patients and their primary care physicians understand and manage their heart disease risk.

A healthcare professional guides each patient in making healthy lifestyle changes to help prevent or slow the progression of heart disease. Depending on the patient's unique needs, recommendations may include:

• Blood pressure management through nutrition, exercise and medication
• Cholesterol management through nutrition, supplements and medication
• Blood sugar (diabetes) management through nutrition, exercise and medication
• Personalized exercise prescription
• Heart healthy eating plan
• Smoking cessation advice
• Weight management programs
• Stress management techniques

Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (sometimes called HRT) has known risks and benefits, and is not recommended for the purpose of preventing or treating heart disease. Cedars-Sinai Women's Heart Center helps each patient make careful decisions about this therapy based on symptoms and the latest scientific information.

Cedars-Sinai Women's Heart Center patients have full access to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services, both for heart disease and other conditions that may be discovered in the process of heart risk assessment. When needed, the center refers patients to other Cedars-Sinai specialty centers and services, including Cedars-Sinai Heart Center and the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center.