Recognizing the Risks to Women for Cardiovascular Disease: A Quality Initiative in the Cardiac Imaging Program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI)

Nontraditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in women include premature menopause, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and autoimmune disease. Most Canadian women have at least 1 risk factor for CVD, yet there are significant knowledge gaps about these risks. Recognizing this, the UOHI Cardiac Imaging nursing staff developed an initiative to better assess CVD risk factors for female patients and to increase awareness.