On February 6th, I had the honor of attending the Heart of a Woman Conference, hosted by Houston Methodist in partnership with NFBPWC, a powerful event focused on women’s cardiovascular health.

One message stood out clearly: heart disease remains the #1 killer of women, yet many of us are still unaware of our unique risk factors and symptoms.

The conference brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and women leaders to translate scientific knowledge into practical strategies for prevention and empowerment. Experts highlighted key contributors to cardiovascular disease in women, including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, chronic stress, genetic predisposition, and age. Many of these risks are preventable or manageable through early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and appropriate medical care.

The theme that caught my attention was the link between stress and heart health. The presenter showed that chronic emotional stress can trigger biological changes that increase inflammation and damage blood vessels, raising the risk of heart attack and heart failure, meaning, effective stress management is an essential component of prevention.

A central message throughout the conference was that awareness saves lives. Educating women about symptoms, risk factors, and preventive actions empowers them to take control of their health and seek timely care.

The Heart of a Woman Conference underscored that improving women’s cardiovascular outcomes requires a comprehensive approach that combines medical science, education, advocacy, and community engagement. Through partnerships like that between Houston Methodist and NFBPWC, meaningful progress can be made toward helping women live healthier, longer lives.

Know your risk. Prioritize prevention. Protect your heart.

Nicole Mpouli
Chair Lifelong Leadership
& Learning
L3Chair@nfbpwc.org