Katz Women’s Hospital at LIJ Medical Center Launches Innovative Cardiology Program to Address Women’s Chest Pain
The Advanced Chest Pain Program is designed to identify and treat a common — but often overlooked — condition known as INOCA
The Advanced Chest Pain Program is designed to identify and treat a common — but often overlooked — condition known as INOCA
Northwell Health News
New Hyde Park, NY — Katz Women’s Hospital at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC) has recently launched an innovative cardiology program focused on the unique heart health needs of women. The Advanced Chest Pain Program is tailored to diagnosing and treating Ischemia and Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (INOCA), a condition in which individuals, particularly women, experience angina, or chest pain, without significant blockage in the heart arteries.
Understanding INOCA is crucial since it involves chest pain due to a lack of blood flow to the heart muscle caused by issues with the smaller blood vessels of the heart or spasms of the heart arteries. Three-quarters of patients with INOCA are women, and traditional tests might miss the diagnosis, resulting in untreated symptoms.
Nisha Parikh, MD, system director of the Women’s Heart Program at Northwell Health and director of cardiovascular medicine at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health, emphasizes the importance of addressing this often-overlooked condition: "Chest pain isn't always related to blockages in arteries. With a team of experts, our program at LIJMC is designed to recognize and treat these symptoms effectively, helping women and men regain their quality of life."
Avneet Singh, MD, director of interventional cardiology at LIJMC, emphasized the institution’s commitment to providing cutting-edge cardiac care. “Our facility is equipped with the latest technology for the diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiac conditions. Through the integration of advanced coronary physiology testing, we have further enhanced our ability to support patients experiencing persistent chest pain, ensuring more precise evaluations and tailored treatment strategies,” Dr. Singh explained.
At LIJMC, the Advanced Chest Pain Program is comprised of highly trained noninvasive cardiologists, nurses, nurse practitioners and interventional cardiologists, skilled in diagnosing and treating INOCA. Noninvasive testing includes: a cardiac MRI, nuclear imaging, exercise or stress test, an echocardiograph (an image of the heart), or an electrocardiograph (EKG), a test that measures heart rhythm and electrical activity.
Potential candidates for the heart chest pain program are individuals who have recurrent chest pain episodes but do not show signs of artery blockage after standard testing. The program uses advanced techniques to assess coronary physiology and pinpoint the exact cause of pain, offering a tailored range of treatments, including the latest medications to improve blood flow and alleviate symptoms.
In the past, women's heart conditions like INOCA, which may run in families, were often misdiagnosed or attributed to non-cardiac issues such as acid reflux or anxiety, noted Dr. Parikh. However, these symptoms can affect exercise tolerance and overall quality of life significantly. Recognizing INOCA and providing effective treatment can alleviate symptoms.
Statistics show that in the United States, approximately three to four million individuals experience angina without obstructive coronary disease, highlighting the need for specialized programs like LIJMC's. With proper diagnosis and management in its program, many patients see a significant improvement in symptoms compared to those untreated.
"Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women. It's vital we educate and support women to seek treatment that addresses their unique heart health challenges," Dr. Parikh said.
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