The American Heart Association announced a new continuing education initiative designed to transform how clinicians identify and treat cardiovascular risk in midlife women, powered by a $1 million philanthropic gift from Dr. Jennifer Ashton and her husband Tom Werner. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women, responsible for 1 in 3 female deaths each year, and this risk intensifies during the menopause transition due to declining estrogen, increased abdominal fat, worsening lipid profiles, vascular stiffening, and rising blood pressure.
The planned educational program will unite cardiologists and OB-GYNs through practical, interdisciplinary tools and education to ensure women navigating menopause receive proactive, evidence-based cardiovascular care. According to the Association, hot flashes and night sweats are associated with worse cardiovascular disease risk factor levels, while cholesterol levels and metabolic syndrome risk appear to increase with menopause beyond normal aging effects. Only 7.2% of women transitioning to menopause meet physical activity guidelines, and fewer than 20% maintain a healthy diet, compounding midlife risk.
"We are profoundly grateful for Jen and Tom's remarkable vision and generosity," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "Their leadership sets a new standard for philanthropy in women's health. This commitment will accelerate the development of interdisciplinary education, but it will also redefine how cardiovascular and gynecologic health are connected across a woman's life course." The Association is working with other professional medical societies and organizations focused on women's health care on this initiative, with the overall goal of increasing healthcare professional knowledge, competence and performance around women's heart health with a focus on menopause and other OB-GYN issues.
Dr. Ashton, a nationally trusted women's health authority and Emmy Award-winning medical journalist, explained the critical need for this program: "As an OB-GYN, the daughter of a cardiologist and a woman, I know women's cardiovascular risks are too often overlooked in midlife, which happens because OB-GYNs often don't know the latest cardiology information, and cardiologists often are unaware of the most current aspects of menopause medicine. This program seeks to connect the dots between these two specialties with tailored curricula." Additional information about menopause and cardiovascular risk can be found at Go Red For Women.
The implications of this initiative are significant for both healthcare providers and patients. By fostering strong interdisciplinary collaboration, the education can enhance patient outcomes and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease among women. After menopause, 1 in 4 women may develop irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, which increases stroke risk, making early intervention at midlife one of the most powerful opportunities to prevent cardiovascular disease in women. Initial courses will launch in Fall 2026, with additional modules released through Spring 2027, representing a tangible step toward addressing what the Association describes as an increasingly urgent need for coordinated, evidence-based guidance for women in this life stage.
