Cardiology

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Women's Heart Health

Dr. Daniela Crousillat of the USF Health Women's Heart Program explains the importance of cardiovascular healthcare for women.

Highly Specialized Care for Women's Heart Health   

Women’s Cardiovascular Health Clinic

The Women’s Heart Health Program (WHHP) at USF Health offers comprehensive, integrated and multidisciplinary care to address the unique cardiovascular needs of our diverse communities through education, expert clinical care, and innovative research.

This team is dedicated to provide expert cardiovascular care for women throughout the community. 

We provide highly specialized care to women throughout their lifespan with a unique emphasis of sex-specific cardiovascular risk factors, focusing on both the prevention and treatment of heart disease. We also treat and manage conditions disproportionately affecting women including:

  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
  • Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
  • Microvascular disease
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Diastolic heart failure

Cardio-obstetrics Clinic

In close collaboration with USF Health’s Ob/Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine experts, we have established a unique, shared Cardio-obstetrics Clinic. Together, our experts provide cardiovascular care for women with pre-existing heart disease or acquired heart disease during pregnancy. Our areas of clinical expertise include:

  • Pre-conception counseling
  • Pregnancy risk assessment
  • Management of cardiovascular diseases through pregnancy and delivery
    • Cardiomyopathy
    • Valvular heart disease
    • Aortopathy
  • Postpartum cardiovascular care

Pregnancy and Heart Health

Dr. Alejandro Rodriguez an expert in Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dr. Daniela Crousillat specializing in Cardio-Obstetrics join forces to deliver a happy healthy outcome for mom and baby. 

Heart Health and Pregnancy

We collaborate closely with USF Health Maternal Fetal Medicine-Obstetrical faculty at weekly Cardio Obstetrics Clinic where we provide cardiovascular care for women with pre-existing heart disease or acquired heart disease in pregnancy. Our areas of clinical expertise include pre-conception counseling, pregnancy risk assessment, management of cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, aortopathy) through pregnancy and delivery, and postpartum cardiovascular care.

If health issues arise during pregnancy they could be indicators that your heart health is at risk, as pregnancy puts extra stressors on the circulatory and heart system. 

Know the Risk Factors

Speaking with your doctor about your medical history and engaging  with a cardiovascular specialist if necessary will reduce the risk and produce healthier outcomes. Women who have experienced the following could be at greater risk for heart attack or stroke 

  • High Blood Pressure with Pregnancy, Preeclampsia or Eclampsia
  • Gestational Diabetes
  • Preterm birth delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy 

Heart Health After Pregnancy

After giving birth it is important to follow up with you doctor if you experience:

  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing when laying flat
  • Headache
  • Heart palpitations
  • High blood pressure - 140/90 mmHg
  • Leg swelling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Vision changes

Resources 

For more detailed information visit the following patient resources:


Appointments

To book an appointment call (813) 821-8001.
Visit MyChart to request an appointment online.

 

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