As a woman, should I see a cardiologist?

St. Joseph’s/Candler Cardiologist Dr. Lisa Dyke offers tips for women to protect their heart health

Did you know that women can experience different heart attack symptoms than men? Or also that the number of pregnancies you had and post-menopause can put a strain on our hearts?

Taking care of women and their heart health is just one of the reasons Dr. Lisa Dyke went into cardiology. Dr. Dyke is an interventional cardiologist with St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network – Cardiology Associates of Savannah.

“I knew I wanted to be a doctor since I was 7,” Dr. Dyke recalls. “Then my mom bought me this toy called a pumping heart. Basically you have these two little plunger things that pumps blood through the toy heart. I was enamored by it. So since I was 7 or 8, I have loved the heart.”

Another reason Dr. Dyke wanted to become an interventional cardiologist is because there’s not many females in the field. She’s hoping that female patients will relate to her because she’s a woman.

“I feel some women feel more comfortable talking to another woman,” Dr. Dyke says.

But it starts there. So many times women tend to put others first – their kids, their husband, their aging parents. Dr. Dyke encourages any woman to not overlook their own health.

“When I talk to patients, I tell them, ‘You are the most important person in your life,’” Dr. Dyke says. “Your family doesn’t benefit if you are not here, so it’s OK to be selfish and worry about yourself. When you are the doctor’s office, it’s certainly the time to be selfish.”

When should you see a cardiologist

1. If you like to ride your bike, walk around the park with your dog or play tennis or pickleball – really any form of activity – and you notice you can’t play a full match or you’re short of breath more frequently, you should see a cardiologist.
2. If you start experiencing dull chest pressure or feel any weird symptoms, especially consistent jaw, tooth, facial or arm pain, you should see a cardiologist.
3. If you feel a pounding in your chest, pounding in your head or a pounding in your neck, that could be high blood pressure, and you should see a cardiologist.
4. If you notice weight gain, and it’s mostly in your legs or you feel full very quickly while eating, you could be retaining fluid, and you should see a cardiologist.
5. If you have any concern about your heart or have a family history of heart disease, it’s never a bad idea to see a cardiologist.

“Some people will present with crushing chest pain before a heart attack, for example, but a lot of women just feel weird,” Dr. Dyke says. “They need to listen to their body and go see a doctor. We’re here to help you through it.”

Tips to protect your heart health

Dr. Dyke also offers some advice for women of any age to protect their heart health. This includes:

• Follow a proper diet
• Exercise, even if it’s just walking
• Do not smoke or vape – any inhalation is terrible, Dr. Dyke says
• Keep stress to a minimum
• Know your family history

And again, put your health first.

“You are the champion of your own health,” Dr. Dyke says. “If you are concerned, ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’ve seen it all, and we’re here to help.”

If you’d like to request an appointment with Dr. Dyke, you can do so here.