A new cardiology clinic focused on women’s heart health is launching this month at the Hasselt Heart Center in Belgium, addressing a critical gap in preventative care. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women globally, yet research indicates women often experience different symptoms and risk factors than men, particularly related to pregnancy and menopause [[1]]. The specialized service, beginning in November, aims to proactively identify and mitigate these risks through extensive assessment and personalized guidance. Researchers at Hasselt University have recently highlighted the lasting impact of pregnancy complications on long-term cardiovascular health, underscoring the need for increased vigilance and follow-up care.
A new specialized clinic is launching in Belgium to address often-overlooked cardiovascular risks for women, particularly those related to pregnancy and menopause.
The Hasselt Heart Center, affiliated with Jessa Hospital, will begin offering a dedicated cardiology consultation service in November focused on cardiovascular risk management in women. The initiative aims to proactively identify and mitigate heart problems that can develop or worsen during key life stages, potentially preventing heart failure or heart attack.
“We want to detect problems early to prevent heart failure or a heart attack. We will support women with an increased risk of heart problems or with initial (vague) complaints. This is a group that is often forgotten,” says Dr. Chahinda Ghossein, a cardiologist at the center.
Understanding how a woman’s heart changes throughout her life is crucial for preventative care, as cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death for women globally. Research from Hasselt University has shed light on the lasting impact of pregnancy on heart health.
For nine months, the heart works harder during pregnancy, pumping an additional 1.5 liters of blood, increasing heart rate, and adapting its structure in a way similar to that of an athlete. While the heart typically recovers after childbirth, complications like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia can leave lasting effects.
“Our research shows that up to 40% of these women develop cardiovascular damage at a young age. Many patients with pregnancy complications have up to an eight times higher risk of developing narrowed arteries. Concentration problems or feelings of sadness are also often linked to microvascular damage,” explains Dr. Ghossein. Often, these women are no longer followed up with after a healthy birth, and symptoms like shortness of breath, palpitations, or fatigue may arise years later without a clear connection being made to their pregnancy.
The heart also becomes more vulnerable after menopause. Estrogen provides a natural protective effect on the inner lining of blood vessels, but this protection diminishes after menopause. “We often see a rapid increase in blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammatory markers, making the heart more susceptible to damage. Half of women develop higher blood pressure during menopause, often without it being noticed. Furthermore, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes cause more damage in women than in men. Therefore, increased vigilance is particularly beneficial,” Dr. Ghossein noted.
The new clinic will offer a comprehensive assessment of heart function, vascular health, metabolic status, and psychosocial well-being. “The goal is early detection, personalized guidance, and the prevention of future heart failure,” Dr. Ghossein said. The specialized consultation service is set to begin in November at the Hasselt Heart Center.
