More Than 20 years of Treating Heart Disease in Women

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute — the leading provider of cardiovascular care in Louisville and Southern Indiana — launched a Women’s Heart Program in 1995 as the area’s first program devoted to heart disease in women.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program was created in part because women have a greater risk of developing heart disease than all types of cancer combined, including breast cancer.

A woman who has a heart attack is more likely to die than a man. If she survives, she is at a higher risk of having a second heart attack within a year. Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program focuses on the latest in heart care treatment and support of women at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained cardiovascular specialists use their understanding of women’s unique heart care needs to provide a precise diagnosis and develop a treatment plan customized for you.

Our cardiovascular specialists have the experience, expertise and easy access you’d expect from Louisville’s leader.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute empowers women to take control of their heart health and promotes cardiovascular health and well-being. We are a long-standing community partner of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

Combining Expertise with Groundbreaking Advances in Women’s Heart Care

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program specialists are at the leading edge of new treatments and procedures that address the unique cardiovascular needs of women.

Since women are at especially high risk of a second heart attack, our cardiovascular specialists are prepared with the latest procedures and techniques — in combination with lifestyle changes — to reduce the risk.

From minimally invasive procedures that keep the vascular system moving blood freely through the heart to the latest tools for treating atrial fibrillation, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute brings all of its tools to bear on the unique heart needs of women.

Our interventional cardiologists have expertise in minimally invasive procedures. They can thread tools into the heart or arteries to deploy stents, balloons and other devices to restore healthy blood flow.

For more advanced conditions, our cardiothoracic surgeons have the expertise and experience to perform complex open heart surgeries, such as bypass and valve replacements.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Resource Center, on our St. Matthews campus, is home to many of our women’s heart support programs.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Resource Center offers Heart Healthy Consultations with our experienced treatment team. We screen women to identify heart disease risk factors and coach women on lowering risks and recognizing symptoms of heart disease.

We will connect you with resources at Norton Healthcare and in the community to help you lead a healthy lifestyle. You can have your results sent to your primary care physician.

Signs of Heart Attack in Women

Women can experience heart attack symptoms differently than men. Women may ignore or overlook the warning signs or confuse them with other conditions, so it’s important to consult a physician immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden fatigue
• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Dull ache, pain, tightness or pressure in the chest, back, arm or jaw
• Back pain
• Neck, arm and/or shoulder pain
• Nausea or indigestion
• Heart palpitations, cold sweats and/or paleness
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Weakness
• Unexplained anxiety

Heart and Vascular Care for the Whole Person

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers patient resources to support you and your family, including free classes for people of all ages who are seeking to improve cardiovascular health or living with a heart condition.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Our cardiac rehabilitation providers are leaders in developing and applying innovative techniques that can help you recover and resume your life.

Connecting Hearts Support Group

The group provides education and support to individuals who have had a heart attack, are living with a heart condition or are at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Heart Health Screenings

Prevention is the best way to manage heart disease, and screenings are available to detect early signs of cardiac and vascular disease and identify risk factors.

About Norton Heart & Vascular Institute

Every year, more than 137,000 people in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Heart & Vascular Institute specialists for their heart and vascular care. That’s more than any other health care provider.

• Norton Healthcare’s adult-service hospitals in Louisville all have received Chest Pain Center accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). This is the seventh consecutive accreditation for all four hospitals, which ensures quality for the treatment of heart attack.
• Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital and Norton Hospital all are recognized as having ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation.
• Norton Healthcare has the most facilities across the city of Louisville with the ability treat a life-threatening heart attack.

• You have access to more than 100 physicians and advanced practice providers with specialized training and experience in a comprehensive range of conditions and treatments.
• Patients can make appointments at 28 locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana. Telecardiology is offered at more than 30 sites in the region.
• Norton Audubon Hospital, a key location for Norton Heart & Vascular Institute services, has been recognized with a HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence year after year by the American College of Cardiology. This is the only hospital in Louisville to be recognized for this distinction.
• U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranked Norton Healthcare adult-service Louisville hospitals high performing in heart attack and heart failure 2022-23.
• Norton Audubon Hospital earned ventricular assist device (VAD) accreditation from DNV – Healthcare and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
• Communicate with your health care provider, renew prescriptions, get lab results and more through your free Norton MyChart account.