Why More Women in Their 20s & 30s Face Heart Risk

This Heart Month episode features emergency physician Dr. Alyson McGregor on why heart disease is rising in younger women and how women’s heart risks and symptoms can differ from men’s due to biology, hormones, and research gaps. 

00:10 | Women’s biology differs “to the cellular level”; hormone impacts
01:22 | Heart disease #1 killer of women; awareness & self-advocacy
02:12 | Research gap: women historically underrepresented in studies
03:17 | Prevention: know sex-specific risks; precision-based care
04:55 | Hormones, pregnancy, menopause & cardiovascular effects
06:05 | Pregnancy complications (gestational diabetes, HTN) as future risk signals
07:45 | Medication metabolism varies across menstrual cycle; dosing/side effects
08:22 | Bloodwork vs. transient hormone levels; future wearables/sensors
10:19 | Wearables (Oura) + data accuracy; women’s health innovation funding
11:37 | Clinical trials: low female inclusion; AHA matching/repository idea
13:18 | Women’s heart attack patterns/symptoms; SCAD/microvascular disease
16:05 | CPR gap for women; hands-only CPR; training on female models
18:55 | Sleep, inflammation, caregiver burden; melatonin study nuance
24:24 | Chronic stress, inflammation & lifestyle risks
26:18 | Saturated vs unsaturated fat; sex differences in fat storage/metabolism
30:26 | Caffeine: coffee vs unregulated energy drinks/ingredients
33:02 | Exercise zones: avoid extremes; mix strength, cardio, mobility
36:15 | Empowered health: use personal data + physicians as consultants

The Wellness Files is a health-focused podcast where we explore practical tools, research and real patient stories. We hope to inform, inspire, and connect to audiences so you can be the best version of yourself, while also asking tough questions about safety and effectiveness.