People cannot treat what they do not know. This axiom rings especially true in healthcare, where patients often struggle to address conditions of which they are unaware. The consequences of this knowledge gap are particularly dire for women facing heart problems. Heart disease stands as the leading killer of women in the U.S., claiming more lives than all cancers combined.
Dr. Nishtha Sareen, director of women’s cardiovascular health programs at Ascension Health System and winner of a 2024 Global Recognition Award, has made it her mission to bridge this critical information gap. Her healthcare model aims to empower women with insights about their heart health, enabling them to take proactive steps toward treatment and prevention.
Bringing Healthcare Insights Closer
Dr. Sareen’s healthcare model is designed to bring cardiovascular insights directly to patients, particularly those in underserved communities. Recognizing the critical nature of heart diseases, Dr. Sareen developed her model to connect patients with specialist referrals and provide guidance on dietary and exercise requirements. This establishes that expert cardiac care is available to communities without access.
Through comprehensive health assessments, preventive screenings, and targeted interventions, Dr. Sareen’s model systematically identifies and treats cardiovascular risks specific to women. This leads them to appropriate medical interventions, depending on their particular conditions.
Regular monitoring and evaluation processes secure continuous quality improvement, approaching a model that can be replicated to achieve equity in cardiovascular care.
Dr. Sareen adds, “We start by letting them know their condition. Empowering women with the knowledge of their heart health status enables early detection and intervention. This is crucial in combating the deadly nature of cardiovascular diseases.”
Additionally, the program breaks down barriers to care, such as geographical limitations and awareness gaps. It offers virtual support capabilities, allowing medical professionals worldwide to access specialized guidance. This virtual platform facilitates knowledge sharing among healthcare providers, creating a collaborative network that strengthens cardiac care delivery across different regions.
The Community Approach to Healthcare
Part of Dr. Sareen’s vision to make healthcare more accessible is to tap into communities. Her model focuses on community-centered healthcare. She builds strategic partnerships with local providers, organizations, and institutions. These collaborations create sustainable healthcare networks. The networks enhance patient outcomes and promote preventive care
The model’s emphasis on community engagement enables the identification and treatment of both rare conditions and critical cases that require immediate attention. Dr. Sareen’s program effectively addresses underserved populations’ distinct challenges through this targeted outlook, equipping them with essential tools and knowledge for proactive heart health management.
Dr. Sareen believes that when communities unite through this model, they become powerful advocates for women’s heart health, creating a ripple effect that resonates both nationally and internationally. This collective effort transforms local initiatives into a global movement, establishing women’s cardiovascular health as a priority in healthcare systems worldwide.
Leading the Possibilities in Healthcare
The expansion of Dr. Sareen’s cardiovascular care model from a single clinic in Michigan to seven statewide locations and three facilities in Tennessee demonstrates its exceptional effectiveness and widespread impact. The program’s 65 percent expansion within one fiscal year also showcases the model’s ability to meet a critical healthcare need.
Dr. Sareen’s 2024 Global Recognition Award validates the program’s focus on women’s cardiovascular health and highlights its success in improving cardiac care access across multiple states. Dr. Sareen emphasizes, “I must congratulate Ascension Health System for prioritizing heart health issues among women and their leadership for promoting the cause. This is a call for action for all health systems globally. It is about time!”
Despite its success, Dr. Sareen believes that this is just the beginning. Her model holds promise for cardiovascular health and addressing other critical medical conditions requiring immediate attention and specialized care.
“We still have a lot to do and many patients to help. Who knows how this model can save lives and improve the quality of life for many patients worldwide?” Dr. Sareen mentions.
With a forward-looking perspective, Dr. Sareen envisions expanding collaborations with medical professionals in the U.S. and globally to make easy access to comprehensive healthcare information the standard.
