By Jenna Dolch
For Dr. Estelle D. Jean, the decision to focus her career on women’s cardiovascular health came from a moment of clarity early in her practice. She saw firsthand how many women were unaware that heart disease is their leading cause of death, surpassing all cancers combined.
That disconnect stayed with her, especially as she noticed how often women placed their own health at the bottom of the priority list. Balancing families, careers and caregiving, many quietly carried risk factors without realizing the long-term impact. “That gap in awareness has real consequences,” Dr. Jean explains.
What truly sharpened her focus was recognizing how complex and unique women’s heart disease risk can be across a lifetime.
The clues hidden in a woman’s health history
Dr. Jean emphasizes that many conditions women experience are not isolated from heart health. Early menstruation, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, and early or premature menopause are all important warning signs for future heart disease and stroke.
When combined with autoimmune diseases, which disproportionately affect women, along with chronic stress, anxiety and depression, the picture becomes even clearer. Too often, these risk factors go unrecognized or untreated.
“These are not separate health issues,” Dr. Jean says. “They directly impact women’s future heart health.” Her work centers on closing this gap through education and earlier prevention.
Why women’s symptoms are often missed
One of the most dangerous patterns Dr. Jean sees is women dismissing symptoms as stress or a normal part of life. Unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pressure, dizziness, palpitations, nausea, or jaw and back pain are commonly brushed aside, especially by women caring for others.
Women’s heart disease does not always announce itself loudly. When symptoms are minimized, diagnoses can be delayed and treatment opportunities missed. “If something feels new, persistent or different for you,” she says, “it deserves attention.”
Prevention that starts small and stays sustainable
When talking about prevention, Dr. Jean encourages women to focus on small, realistic changes. Consistent sleep, regular movement that feels enjoyable and mindful eating form the foundation. She also urges women to know their numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, and to understand what they mean.
One of the most powerful mindset shifts, she says, is recognizing that prioritizing personal health is not selfish. “It’s essential,” she often reminds patients.
Redefining what heart disease looks like in women
Many women still associate heart disease with sudden chest pain, but Dr. Jean hopes to change that narrative. In women, heart disease can present as lingering fatigue, breathlessness, sleep disturbances, anxiety or a general sense that something feels off.
Trusting that instinct matters. Women do not need textbook symptoms to advocate for themselves. Their experiences are valid and deserve to be taken seriously.
Care that extends beyond the exam room
Dr. Jean’s commitment to women’s heart health reaches far beyond clinical visits. Through community outreach, public education and social media, she meets women where they are. Those conversations remind her that health does not happen in a vacuum.
Listening to women’s real-life challenges helps her communicate more clearly and deliver care that fits their lives. Education, she believes, empowers women to ask better questions and take a more active role in their health.
A Heart Month message for women
For women balancing work, family and caregiving, Dr. Jean offers reassurance. Heart health does not require perfection. Schedule your own appointments with the same care you give loved ones. Take walks during phone calls. Prepare simple, heart-healthy meals and give yourself grace. Progress matters more than perfection.
During Heart Month, her message is clear. She encourages women to ask two powerful questions: “What is my lifetime risk for heart disease, and what can we do about it now?”
Your reproductive history matters. Your symptoms matter. Your health matters. Heart disease is often preventable, and awareness is the first step.
