Nearly 60% of US Women Could Face High Blood Pressure by 2050

University Health Launches Dedicated Women’s Heart Center

The program launched its clinical services in May 2025 and officially moved into its permanent clinic space in Babcock Tower II in April 2026. The center treats adult women across all stages of life, focusing heavily on pregnancy-related cardiac issues and cardiac syndromes that manifest differently in women than in men. According to Dr. Ildiko Agoston, the center’s inaugural medical director, the facility was established to provide targeted attention that female patients historically lacked in standard cardiology settings.

The clinic relies on a multidisciplinary care team. According to University Health, the staff includes cardiologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and other subspecialists who provide tailored screenings, risk assessments, and specialized care pathways designed around female physiology.

Why Women-Specific Cardiology Matters

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinicians note that women frequently experience subtler or entirely different symptoms compared to men during cardiac events.

Anatomical and hormonal factors complicate diagnoses. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, women often possess smaller coronary arteries, and the unique cardiovascular stress brought on by pregnancy can impact long-term heart health. The new San Antonio center specifically prioritizes diagnoses such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection, stress cardiomyopathy, and cardiovascular care for women undergoing chemotherapy, according to Community Impact.

Regional Access and Local Leadership

The center aims to serve patients throughout the wider South Texas region, offering satellite care options connected to the hospital campus, according to the San Antonio Report. Furthermore, hospital officials note that the clinic’s cardiologists and mid-level providers are women, a staffing structure that leaders believe enhances communication and patient comfort.

Beyond clinical infrastructure, local healthcare advocacy in San Antonio also emphasizes broader awareness campaigns. Esther Kwon, CEO of Methodist Hospital Texsan, served as the volunteer chair for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in San Antonio for the 2024–2025 term, working to empower female patients to advocate for health equity and cardiovascular awareness.

Clinicians at University Health urge women to seek a baseline cardiovascular evaluation with their primary care providers, particularly if they have a history of pregnancy complications, cancer history, or persistent symptoms such as shortness of breath and unusual fatigue.