Although heart disease affects both women and men almost equally, women often have different symptoms and respond differently to treatment than men do. That’s why women want a team with the experience to address their unique needs. This expertise can be found at Rush University Medical Center, home to the first heart program in Chicago devoted exclusively to women.

At the Rush Heart Center for Women, women with heart problems are diagnosed and treated with great sensitivity and innovation by a team of cardiologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists and cardiothoracic surgeons who are supported by the comprehensive resources of a world-class academic medical center. Women without overt heart disease are assessed and advised on how to prevent heart disease and stroke.

That means that virtually every option is available to Rush patients from the latest medications to a full range of surgical and minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat everything from heart attacks to faulty valves to the latest devices, such as the biventricular pacemaker and implantable defibrillator, to regulate erratic heartbeats. It’s all at Rush, where our clinical team works with patients to not only devise the best possible treatment plans, but to help them make vital lifestyle changes to prevent further problems.

Prevention Magazine: The Body Beautiful
Annabelle Volgman, MD, was recently interviewed  by Richard Laliberte about preventing a heart attack. Find out all the latest recommendations in the October 2007 issue of Prevention Magazine in an article titled The Body Beautiful.

2 BigHearts - Working Together for Women's Hearts
Rush University Medical Center and the 2 BigHearts Foundation have joined forces to accomplish their shared goal of heightening awareness of heart disease in women. By making available heart health screenings throughout the year, these organizations hope to educate women and families about the importance of good heart health. To learn more about future screenings, see results of previous screenings and explore Rush's relationship with the 2 BigHearts Foundation, please visit the Rush / 2 BigHearts Web site or call (888) 352-RUSH (7874) for more information.

Broken Heart Syndrome
On November 1, 2006, Annabelle Volgman, MD, medical director of the Heart Center for Women at Rush, again joined ABC-7 News reporter Sylvia Perez for a discussion about heart health. The topic, how severe grief can cause a real medical condition that looks much like a heart attack and is often misdiagnosed. Now, you can read the story and view the newscast titled “Broken Heart Syndrome.”

Get Heart Smart with Dr. Volgman
Join Smart Start® Healthy Heart™, Annabelle Volgman, MD, and the American Heart Association in educating yourself and every woman you care about with this important heart health video series. Recently Dr. Volgman recorded a series of informational videos regarding heart health for women. The first, “What Every Women Should Know About Heart Disease,” describes the efforts of Smart Start® and the American Heart Association to increase awareness of heart disease in women. The Second, “Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke,” outlines many issues that can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. You can watch these videos, find out more about your heart health, and join the Smart Start® movement yourself at Kellogg’s Smart Start Healthy Heart.

Secrets of the Heart
On February 15, 2006, Annabelle Volgman, MD, medical director of the Heart Center for Women at Rush, joined ABC-7 News reporter Sylvia Perez for an hour-long discussion with viewers regarding heart health for women. This edition of Sylvia Perez’s “Healthbeat” was titled “Secrets of the Heart,” and may be viewed in its entirety at Secrets of the Heart