Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women — yet the symptoms often look very different than they do in men.

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, cardiologist Dr. Sandra Chaparro from Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute breaks down the unique signs of heart disease in women, including fatigue, nausea, back pain, jaw pain and other symptoms that are often overlooked.

We also discuss:

• How menopause affects your heart
• Why pregnancy and postpartum increase long-term risk
• The role of stress in heart health
• When to start screening
• What heart pain really feels like in women
• The truth about smoking, vaping and heart risk
• The best exercise and diet strategies for prevention
• How AI is helping detect heart disease earlier

One of the biggest takeaways? Know your numbers. Understanding your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight can help you prevent heart disease before symptoms ever appear.

If you feel fine now, that’s great — but prevention starts early.

Subscribe for more expert-backed health insights from Baptist Health South Florida.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Sandra Chaparro, M.D.
Cardiologist
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

What do your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers actually mean? Dr. Tarek Rambahtla breaks down how plaque forms, how high blood pressure increases stroke risk, and why prevention starts earlier than most people think.

Heart health isn’t just about feeling fine — it’s about knowing your risk.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Tarak Rambahtla, M.D.
Medical Director of Inpatient Cardiac Services
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

Heart disease is rising in young adults — and it’s not just something that happens later in life.

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Sergiu Darabant, cardiologist with Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, to explain why more adults ages 20–40 are experiencing heart-related events and what’s driving the trend.

You’ll learn the early warning signs young adults often overlook, including:
• Chest tightness with activity
• Shortness of breath out of proportion to exercise
• Palpitations and racing heartbeats

Dr. Darabant also breaks down the biggest risk factors impacting young adults today — including stress, poor sleep, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and ultra-processed foods — and explains why prevention starts earlier than most people think.

One of the biggest takeaways: know your numbers and schedule a yearly checkup so you can catch issues early and protect your heart long before symptoms become serious.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Sergiu Darabant, M.D.
Cardiologist
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care