• Smoking
• Mental illness– women are more prone to depression and anxiety, which has been linked to heart disease.
• Metabolic syndrome – this combination of risk factors (obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose and triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol) increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease
• Rheumatologic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus – inflammation can cause fluid to collect around the heart and result in greater progress of coronary disease; women are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus than men
• Complications and disorders associated with pregnancy – including diabetes and hypertension (pre-eclampsia)
• C-reactive protein – a signal of inflammation that might indicate cardiovascular risk
• Diabetes- women with diabetes have coronary artery disease at a much earlier age than women without diabetes

The following self-tests are a starting point to understanding risk factors, and do not replace a visit to your cardiologist.

• Reynolds Risk Score:
  The Reynolds Risk Score is a self-test that factors in age, cholesterol, blood pressure, family history, and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (a protein produced by the liver that reflects inflammation that is a factor leading to atherosclerosis) to provide an estimate of risk for cardiovascular disease that may occur over the next 10 years.
• BMI (body mass index):
  Your body mass index is a measure of a person’s weight, which is arrived at by multiplying height in meters and weight in kilograms. A high BMI may indicate that you may be overweight or obese.

For Patients:
Johns Hopkins Women’s Cardiovascular Health Center makes it easy to access the specialists and services you need. To schedule an appointment directly, call 443-997-0270. We’ll route you to the correct specialist, and provide all the information you need to prepare for your visit.

Cardiology & Vascular Medicine: 443-997-0270

Cardiac Surgery: 410-955-2800

Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy: 410-955-5165

Pediatric Heart Program: 410-955-9714

Interventional Radiology: 410-502-2835
Save time before your appointment at the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Center. Print and complete your patient intake form before your appointment. (This is not required, but is offered as a convenience for patients.)

For Physicians:
Visit refer a patient to view referral numbers by specialty and learn more about our referring physician services.