Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, but it’s signs are too often overlooked. At Mayo Clinic, decades of cutting-edge research and clinical leadership are transforming the way women’s cardiovascular conditions are diagnosed and treated. “There are conditions that affect women that either don’t affect men, like pregnancy-related heart disease, or that affect women differently,” says Dr. Sharonne Hayes, founding director of the Women’s Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic. “We’ve just scratched the service of what we need to know about heart disease. Each time we peel back a layer, we realize we need to know more.”
The Mayo Clinic Women’s Heart Clinic, one of the first of its kind, specializes in heart conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women, like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), microvascular angina, and stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
Using AI to Detect Heart Disease Earlier
One way Mayo Clinic is leading the field is through the integration of artificial intelligence, using advanced algorithms to identify heart disease before symptoms appear. Additionally, the AI-enabled electrocardiogram (ECG), developed by Mayo researchers, can detect early signs of heart failure and other silent cardiac abnormalities with more than 90% accuracy.
“These diseases are treatable—if you can see them,” says Dr. Paul Friedman, chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. He compares AI in medicine to using a flashlight when walking at night. “It’s going to help us see farther ahead.” These tools are already integrated into clinical practice and patient devices such as wearable monitors, enabling proactive, data-driven decisions about prevention and treatment. This technology also helps support physicians by analyzing data rapidly and accurately, so they can spend more time with patients and can intervene even sooner.
Improving Outcomes with Bold Innovation
Mayo Clinic’s innovation ecosystem accelerates the translation of research discoveries into practical solutions for patients. Remote monitoring programs, minimally invasive procedures, and precision diagnostics all contribute to safer, faster, and more effective care. Breakthroughs in catheter-based interventions and robotic assistance continue to redefine what’s possible in cardiac treatment, shortening hospital stays and improving long-term results. “The robotic platform has allowed us to offer mitral valve repair through smaller incisions allowing patients to recover in almost half the time and return to normal life pretty quickly,” reports Arman Arghami, M.D., a cardiac surgeon specializing in robotic-assisted heart surgery.
Excellence in Surgery and Recovery
Ranked the No. 1 hospital in the world for cardiology and cardiac surgery by Newsweek (2024), Mayo Clinic is setting the global standard by consistently delivering some of the best surgical outcomes. Mayo Clinic’s surgeons perform some of the most complex procedures with precision and safety, adopting techniques that minimize pain and shorten recovery times.
From diagnosis through rehabilitation, every stage of care reflects a commitment to compassion, expertise, and innovation.
The Future of Heart Care is Here
Through pioneering research, AI-driven technology, and world-class surgical expertise, Mayo Clinic continues to redefine what is possible in cardiovascular medicine. People across Minnesota and beyond can feel confident that when they choose Mayo Clinic, they are choosing the highest level of care available anywhere in the world.
To learn more or request an appointment, visit careinfo.mayoclinic.org/cardio.
