Episode 2: Why are Women’s Cardiovascular Concerns Often Downplayed?

“Women’s hearts are affected by hormonal changes, [such] as those experienced during pregnancy and menopause, which adds an additional risk factor for heart disease in women.” -Dr. Najah Adreak

In this episode, we spoke to Dr. Najah Adreak, who brought her expertise to discuss the knowledge gaps in women’s heart health. In this episode, she will go over the risk factor, diagnosis and treatment for women’s cardiovascular concerns. Dr. Adreak will also address the long-standing knowledge gaps in women’s cardiovascular health. She delves into how health research is often solely based on male bodies and how this impacts female patients today.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Stitching Hearts and Bringing Change
• Incorporating a Women’s Cardiovascular Health Curriculum Into Medical Education
• The Emerging Role of Digital Health Technology in Cardiovascular Care
• Pregnancy and Reproductive Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Women
• The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission: reducing the global burden by 2030
• Women’s cardiovascular health: shifting towards equity and justice

Guest Biography

Dr. Najah Adreak is a clinical researcher with a Master of Science in Surgery at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She has her medical degree from Tripoli University and has trained in the Cardiac Surgery residency program in her country before moving to Canada for further education and training. Dr. Adreak is the Trainee Representative for the Canadian Women Heart’s Health Alliance and an active member of the Training and Education Working Group. She led the western committee for the Wear Red Canada campaign in 2021.

She is an advocate for cardiovascular health and treatment, especially for underserved women patients. Dr. Adreak is also active in the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and she has managed many clinical trials within her role as a clinical research assistant in the cardiac surgery department at St. Paul’s Hospital, where she took great pride in improving patients care through research and innovation. She has a strong academic and medical background and outstanding leadership experience. Her long-term goal is to be an academic cardiac surgeon and advocate for women’s health and access to quality health care.