Houston Methodist Heart of a Woman: Strategies for Treating and Preventing Heart Disease in Women 2026

Houston Methodist Women’s Heart Health 2026 | Cardiovascular Disease in Women | Pregnancy and Heart Disease | SCAD | Cardio-Oncology | HFpEF | Menopause | TAVR | Women’s Preventive Cardiology

Information

Houston Methodist Heart of a Woman: Strategies for Treating and Preventing Heart Disease in Women 2026 is a comprehensive cardiovascular education program focused on the prevention, recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease across the female lifespan.

Presented by the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, the program addresses the biological, hormonal, reproductive, metabolic, and clinical factors that can make cardiovascular disease in women different from cardiovascular disease in men.

The symposium emphasizes the importance of recognizing sex-specific and female-predominant cardiovascular conditions, identifying risk factors earlier, and tailoring prevention and treatment strategies to the needs of women.

The 2026 agenda spans preventive cardiology, diabetes, menopause, pregnancy, hypertension, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, HFpEF, cardio-oncology, obesity, atrial arrhythmias, coronary bypass surgery, TAVR, and women-specific cardiomyopathies.

Course Details

• Course: Heart of a Woman: Strategies for Treating and Preventing Heart Disease in Women
• Provider: Houston Methodist
• Center: Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
• Date: February 6, 2026
• Time: 8:45 AM – 4:20 PM CST
• Location: Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
• Original Format: In-Person and Virtual
• Specialty: Women’s Cardiovascular Medicine
• CME: Up to 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• Nursing Credit: Up to 7.25 Nursing Contact Hours
• Language: English

The in-person program was held in the John F. Bookout Auditorium at Houston Methodist Research Institute.

Target Audience

The official program is designed for:

• Physicians
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Nurses
• Residents
• Fellows
• Healthcare professionals in cardiology and cardiovascular specialties
• Internal Medicine clinicians
• Family Medicine clinicians

It is particularly relevant for:

• Cardiologists
• Preventive Cardiologists
• Cardio-Oncologists
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists
• Endocrinologists
• Cardiothoracic Surgeons
• Interventional Cardiologists
• Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologists
• Heart Failure Specialists
• Cardiovascular Imaging Specialists
• Primary Care Physicians

Program Overview

Women may experience different patterns of cardiovascular disease, different risk factors, and different clinical presentations compared with men.

The Houston Methodist Heart of a Woman program approaches cardiovascular disease in women across multiple stages of life and clinical settings.

Major areas include:

• Cardiovascular disease epidemiology in women
• Female-specific cardiovascular risk
• Prevention
• Type 2 diabetes
• Menopause
• Stress
• HFpEF
• SCAD
• Non-obstructive coronary syndromes
• Hypertension in pregnancy
• Pregnancy-associated cardiovascular disease
• Women-specific cardiomyopathies
• Cardio-oncology
• Obesity
• Atrial fibrillation and flutter
• Coronary artery disease
• CABG
• TAVR
• Lifestyle and Mediterranean diet

Learning Objectives

By the end of this activity, the learner should be able to:

• Understand the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of cardiovascular disease in women.
• Identify the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and how they may be different in women and their lifestyles.
• Review the current treatments for cardiovascular disease and how they may need to be tailored differently.

Official Program Topics

Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Karla Kurrelmeyer, MD, FACC, FASE

This opening scientific session reviews the distinctive epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management of cardiovascular disease in women.

Important themes include:

• Sex-specific cardiovascular risk
• Differences in symptom presentation
• Prevention
• Recognition of atypical symptoms
• Diagnostic challenges
• Treatment considerations

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to Minimize Cardiovascular Risk

Archana Sadhu, MD

Diabetes is an important cardiovascular risk factor in women.

This session reviews strategies for reducing cardiovascular risk in women with type 2 diabetes, including:

• Glycemic management
• Cardioprotective therapies
• Blood pressure control
• Lipid management
• Weight management
• Integrated cardiometabolic care

Menopause

Erin Manning, MD

Menopause can influence cardiovascular risk through changes in:

• Hormonal status
• Lipid profile
• Body composition
• Blood pressure
• Metabolic health
• Vascular function

This session addresses the relationship between menopause and cardiovascular disease prevention.

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, MASPC, FESC, FSCCT (hon)

This session focuses on cardiovascular prevention across a woman’s lifespan.

Important considerations include:

• Risk assessment
• Lipid management
• Blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Lifestyle
• Smoking
• Exercise
• Female-specific risk enhancers

Effects of Stress on the Cardiovascular System

Miguel Quinones, MD, MACC, FASE

Psychological and physiologic stress can influence cardiovascular health.

The session examines:

• Stress responses
• Sympathetic activation
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Cardiovascular risk
• Stress-related cardiac syndromes
• Lifestyle and behavioral interventions

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Women

Karla Kurrelmeyer, MD, FACC, FASE

HFpEF is particularly important in women and often coexists with hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and aging-related cardiovascular changes.

This session reviews:

• Recognition
• Diagnosis
• Comorbidities
• Treatment
• Risk-factor management
• Long-term care

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and the Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Syndrome

Alpesh Shah, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an important cause of acute coronary syndrome in women.

The session also addresses non-obstructive coronary syndromes.

Topics include:

• SCAD recognition
• Angiographic diagnosis
• Patient selection for intervention
• Conservative management
• Recurrence
• MINOCA
• Non-obstructive coronary disease
• Women-specific coronary syndromes

Keynote: Management of Hypertension during Pregnancy

Farah Amro, MD

Hypertension during pregnancy can affect both maternal and fetal outcomes and has important implications for future cardiovascular risk.

The keynote reviews:

• Chronic hypertension
• Gestational hypertension
• Preeclampsia
• Blood pressure treatment
• Maternal risk
• Postpartum follow-up
• Long-term cardiovascular prevention

Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Disease

Valeria Duarte, MD, MPH

Pregnancy can reveal or worsen underlying cardiovascular disease.

Important areas include:

• Pregnancy-related hemodynamic changes
• Pre-existing heart disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Valvular disease
• Arrhythmias
• Risk stratification
• Multidisciplinary cardio-obstetric care

Mediterranean Diet

Sarah Khan, MS, RD, LD

The official lunch session included a discussion of the Mediterranean diet and its relevance to cardiovascular health.

Topics may include:

• Dietary pattern
• Cardiovascular prevention
• Weight management
• Lipid health
• Diabetes prevention
• Long-term lifestyle change

Women-Specific Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure

Cardiomyopathies Unique to Women

Mahwash Kassi, MD

This session examines cardiomyopathies with particular relevance to women.

Clinical considerations may include:

• Peripartum cardiomyopathy
• Stress-related cardiomyopathy
• Pregnancy-associated disease
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Recovery
• Long-term follow-up

Cardio-Oncology

Potential Cardiac Complications Associated with Breast Cancer Chemotherapy

Barry Trachtenberg, MD

Breast cancer treatment can create important cardiovascular complications.

This cardio-oncology session reviews potential effects of cancer treatment on:

• Left ventricular function
• Heart failure risk
• Hypertension
• Arrhythmias
• Vascular disease
• Long-term cardiovascular surveillance

The topic is particularly relevant for women receiving potentially cardiotoxic cancer therapy.

Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk

Beyond BMI – Obesity as a Disease

Eleonora Avenatti, MD

This session treats obesity as a complex chronic disease rather than simply a body-size measurement.

Important considerations include:

• Cardiometabolic risk
• Adiposity
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Lipid abnormalities
• Weight-management therapies
• Cardiovascular prevention

Electrophysiology

Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter Prevention in Women

Paul Schurmann, MD

The program includes a dedicated session on atrial arrhythmias in women.

Areas of interest include:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Stroke risk
• Risk-factor modification
• Prevention
• Rhythm management
• Female-specific considerations

Coronary Artery Disease in Women

Patient Interview – Obstructive CAD with Atypical Presentation

Mahwash Kassi, MD

Women with obstructive coronary artery disease may present without classic symptoms.

This case-based session highlights:

• Atypical symptoms
• Diagnostic delay
• Clinical suspicion
• Risk assessment
• Patient communication
• Recognition of obstructive CAD

Insights into How to Minimize Risk in Women Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Ross Reul, MD

Women undergoing CABG may have different anatomical, clinical, and perioperative considerations.

The session addresses strategies intended to improve outcomes in female cardiac surgical patients.

Important themes include:

• Patient selection
• Preoperative risk
• Surgical planning
• Perioperative care
• Complication reduction
• Long-term outcomes

Structural Heart Disease

TAVR Considerations and Outcomes in Women

Neal Kleiman, MD, FACC, MSCAI

This session reviews transcatheter aortic valve replacement from a women-specific perspective.

Topics may include:

• Aortic stenosis
• Female anatomy
• Vascular access
• Valve sizing
• Bleeding risk
• Outcomes
• Patient selection

Major Topics Covered

Cardiovascular Disease in Women

The central focus of the symposium is understanding how heart disease affects women differently.

Preventive Cardiology

Prevention includes:

• Blood pressure control
• Lipid management
• Diabetes management
• Weight management
• Smoking cessation
• Exercise
• Nutrition
• Early risk identification

Women-Specific Risk Factors

Risk assessment in women may need to incorporate:

• Pregnancy complications
• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
• Menopause
• Hormonal factors
• Autoimmune disease
• Cancer therapy
• Female-predominant coronary syndromes

Pregnancy and Cardio-Obstetrics

Pregnancy is both a cardiovascular stress test and an important window into future cardiovascular risk.

Menopause

Menopause may alter metabolic and vascular risk and is an important stage for preventive intervention.

SCAD and Non-Obstructive Coronary Disease

These syndromes are especially important in women and may require different diagnostic and treatment strategies from conventional obstructive coronary artery disease.

HFpEF

Women represent a major proportion of patients with HFpEF, making this an important area of sex-specific heart failure care.

Cardio-Oncology

Cancer survival increasingly requires attention to long-term cardiovascular consequences of treatment.

Obesity and Diabetes

Cardiometabolic disorders are major contributors to cardiovascular risk in women.

Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter

Arrhythmia prevention and management are included as part of comprehensive cardiovascular care.

CABG in Women

Cardiac surgical outcomes can be influenced by sex-specific anatomy, comorbidities, and perioperative risk.

TAVR in Women

Structural heart interventions require awareness of female-specific anatomical and clinical factors.

Multidisciplinary Women’s Cardiovascular Care

Cardiology

Provides cardiovascular prevention, diagnosis, medical therapy, and long-term follow-up.

Preventive Cardiology

Addresses traditional and female-specific cardiovascular risk.

Cardio-Obstetrics

Integrates cardiology with maternal-fetal and obstetric care.

Endocrinology

Supports management of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic risk.

Cardio-Oncology

Monitors and treats cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy.

Electrophysiology

Manages atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and other rhythm disorders.

Interventional Cardiology

Provides coronary and structural interventions, including TAVR.

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Provides operative treatment of coronary and structural heart disease.

Primary Care

Plays a critical role in early risk recognition and long-term prevention.

Course Leadership

The 2026 program was introduced and led by Houston Methodist cardiovascular faculty including:

• Karla Kurrelmeyer, MD, FACC, FASE
• Bindu Chebrolu, MD
• Valeria Duarte, MD, MPH
• Nadeen Faza, MD

The official agenda lists these faculty members in the welcome and introduction session.

Selected Faculty

The official 2026 faculty included:

• Karla Kurrelmeyer, MD, FACC, FASE
• Archana Sadhu, MD
• Erin Manning, MD
• Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, MASPC, FESC, FSCCT (hon)
• Miguel Quinones, MD, MACC, FASE
• Alpesh Shah, MD, FACC, FSCAI
• Farah Amro, MD
• Valeria Duarte, MD, MPH
• Sarah Khan, MS, RD, LD
• Mahwash Kassi, MD
• Barry Trachtenberg, MD
• Eleonora Avenatti, MD
• Paul Schurmann, MD
• Ross Reul, MD
• Neal Kleiman, MD, FACC, MSCAI
• Bindu Chebrolu, MD

Why This Course Is Relevant

Women’s cardiovascular disease requires attention to both traditional and female-specific risk factors.

The Houston Methodist Heart of a Woman 2026 program is particularly relevant because it connects:

• Preventive cardiology
• Menopause
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Hypertension
• SCAD
• HFpEF
• Cardio-oncology
• Obesity
• Arrhythmias
• Coronary artery disease
• Cardiac surgery
• Structural heart intervention

This multidisciplinary approach supports more individualized cardiovascular prevention and treatment for women across the lifespan.

CME Information

Houston Methodist is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The original live activity was designated for:

• 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• 7.25 Nursing Contact Hours

Credit applies only to eligible participation in the original accredited Houston Methodist activity and should not be assumed to accompany independently distributed recordings or files.

Short Description

Houston Methodist Heart of a Woman: Strategies for Treating and Preventing Heart Disease in Women 2026 provides a comprehensive update on women’s cardiovascular health, including prevention, menopause, diabetes, HFpEF, SCAD, pregnancy-related heart disease, cardio-oncology, obesity, atrial fibrillation, CABG, and TAVR.

Topics

• 2026 Updates – Cardiovascular Disease in Women

• Heart of a Woman Ultimate Cardiology Jeopardy Showdown

• Cardio-Oncology – Potential Cardiac Complications Associated with Breast Cancer Chemotherapy

• Beyond BMI – Obesity as a Disease

• Cardiomyopathies Unique to Women

• Discussion on the Mediterranean Diet

• Management of Hypertension During Pregnancy

• Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Disease

• Effects of Stress on Cardiovascular System

• Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Health – Where We’ve Been and Where We Are in 2026

• Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Women

• Preventing and Assessing Cardiovascular Disease in Women

• Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to Minimize Cardiovascular Risk

• Insights into How to Minimize Risk in Women Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

• TAVR Considerations and Outcomes in Women

• Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter Prevention in Women

• Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and the Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Syndrome