New! Cardiovascular Risk Assessment – Know Your Heart Health
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death for women in the United States—yet many women don’t realize they’re at risk until it’s too late. Symptoms often go unnoticed or are misattributed to stress, anxiety, or hormonal changes. While men’s heart health has long been the focus of cardiovascular care, women experience heart disease differently, and they deserve screening tools that reflect those differences.
That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Ms.Medicine Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention Program (CVRPP)—a personalized cardiovascular risk assessment for women designed to educate, empower, and support early detection. This comprehensive tool is part of our commitment to rethinking women’s health from the inside out—starting with the heart.
Why a Gender-Specific Approach to Heart Health Matters
For decades, heart disease research and risk calculators were based on male-centric data. As a result, many women were told they were “low risk,” even when they had symptoms or histories that pointed to elevated danger. Today, we know better. We know that heart disease in women often presents differently—and that risk factors unique to women’s health, like pregnancy complications or early menopause, play a significant role in long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
Our Cardiovascular Risk Assessment bridges this gap by including critical risk enhancers specific to women, such as:
History of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or preterm birth
Early menopause (natural or surgical)
Autoimmune diseases more common in women, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Breast cancer treatment history
These are not typically included in standard heart screening tools, but they can have a lasting impact on women’s heart health.
What Makes the Ms.Medicine Risk Assessment Different
The CVRPP is more than just a questionnaire. It’s an integrated heart screening tool tailored to the nuances of women’s lives and bodies. It begins with clinical measurements such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and BMI, but it goes far deeper—accounting for hormonal stages, lifestyle factors, personal and family history, and even mental and emotional well-being.
The assessment includes:
Traditional markers like LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure
ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) 10-year and 30-year risk calculation
Consideration of reproductive history and hormonal status (e.g., perimenopausal, postmenopausal)
Lifestyle metrics, such as diet quality, physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking status
Discussion of emerging risk markers like inflammation (CRP), lipoprotein(a), and apoB
Review of potential screening needs such as a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scan
The result? A well-rounded picture of where your heart health stands—and what you can do to improve it.
The Importance of Early Detection
Heart disease is often called a silent killer because it can progress for years without noticeable symptoms. But subtle signs are often there—fatigue, shortness of breath, chest tightness, back pain, or an overall sense of “something isn’t right.” These early warning signs are too often dismissed, both by patients and providers.
Our goal is to intervene early, before a diagnosis becomes urgent. The CVRPP helps identify hidden risks and opens the door to preventive strategies, such as:
Lifestyle adjustments to reduce blood pressure or cholesterol
Nutrition and movement plans personalized for your body and risk profile
Evaluation of whether medications like statins or antihypertensives are appropriate
Testing recommendations like a CAC scan for those in the intermediate risk category
Ongoing follow-up and support to track progress and modify care as needed
Who Should Complete This Assessment?
The short answer: any woman age 40 and older, and anyone younger with risk-enhancing factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, PCOS, or a family history of early heart disease. Women with autoimmune conditions, breast cancer histories, or those who experienced pregnancy complications should also consider early screening.
It’s especially important for women in midlife. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can contribute to rising cholesterol, increased belly fat, sleep disturbances, and elevated blood pressure—all of which raise cardiovascular risk.
If you’re not sure whether you’ve had a recent heart screening—or if your last one didn’t take your full medical story into account—this is the perfect place to start.
What to Expect From the Assessment
This is not a one-size-fits-all experience. At Ms.Medicine, our clinicians take the time to review your answers, talk through your results, and collaborate with you on next steps. You’ll leave your visit not just with numbers, but with understanding—and a clear, personalized plan for protecting your heart.
Depending on your risk level, we may recommend:
Statin therapy or blood pressure medication
A CAC scan to further evaluate artery health
Targeted lab work to measure inflammatory or lipid markers
Coaching on nutrition, stress management, and physical activity
Hormonal evaluation if your symptoms overlap with perimenopause or menopause
You’ll also have time to ask questions and revisit any concerns—something many women don’t get in a traditional appointment.
Investing in Prevention, One Heart at a Time
Your heart health isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how you feel, how you function, and how you show up in your life. It’s about preventing illness before it takes hold and knowing you have a care team who sees the full picture.
At Ms.Medicine, we believe prevention is powerful. Our Cardiovascular Risk Assessment is designed to educate and empower women to take ownership of their heart health, not just when symptoms appear, but throughout their lives. With personalized insights and compassionate, woman-centered care, we’re redefining what it means to take care of your heart.
Schedule your Cardiovascular Risk Assessment today—and take one important step toward a stronger, healthier future.
