How Hormones Change Women’s Hearts and Why Cardiology Wasn’t Built to See It

How Hormones Change Women’s Hearts and Why Cardiology Wasn’t Built to See It

Author: by FemmeHealth Alliance January 15, 2026 Duration: 27:59

In this episode of Blindspot Capital, Maryann Selfe speaks with Professor Carolin Lerchenmüller, cardiologist, clinician-scientist, and Switzerland’s first Chair of Gender Medicine, about why heart disease presents differently in women and how hormones across pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause fundamentally reshape cardiovascular risk.

Drawing on decades of research spanning molecular cardiology and clinical care, Carolin explains why modern cardiology guidelines failed to account for female biology and what gender-informed, hormone-literate cardiology must look like next.

We Cover:

How pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause alter cardiovascular symptoms and risk in women

Why preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are early predictors of lifetime cardiovascular disease

How declining estrogen levels affect blood vessels, cholesterol metabolism, and plaque formation

Why cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women worldwide and why awareness remains dangerously low

What a hormone-literate, gender-informed cardiology system would require in research, diagnostics, and care delivery

Carolin’s predictions for the future of gender medicine and why she sees a turning point in science and clinical practice

Links

 Learn more about the Women’s Heart Health Program at University Hospital ZurichFollow Professor Lerchenmüller on LinkedIn

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There's a vast, often overlooked frontier in business and innovation, and Blindspot Capital is mapping its terrain. This podcast digs into the ideas, trends, and tangible investment potential shaping the future of women's health, a sector that has historically been underfunded and underserved. Each episode moves beyond surface-level discussions to examine the systemic gaps and the consequential opportunities they create. You'll hear from founders, investors, researchers, and thinkers who are actively building and funding solutions in this space, sharing their on-the-ground experiences and hard-won insights. The conversations are grounded in the reality of entrepreneurship and market dynamics, exploring not just the "why" but the "how"-how new technologies are being applied, how businesses are scaling, and how capital can be deployed to generate both impact and returns. Tune in for a clear-eyed look at an area ripe for transformation, where understanding the blind spot isn't just about awareness, but about seeing a path forward for savvy builders and backers alike. This isn't a niche side conversation; it's a central dialogue about the next wave of growth in healthcare and technology, delivered through a podcast dedicated to substantive, forward-thinking analysis.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 18

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