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Nieca Goldberg, MD, FACC

Cardiologist
NYU Langone Cardiology Associates
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
A National Spokesperson for the American Heart Association
Founder and Former Medical Director, Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health

Dr. Nieca (NEE-sah) Goldberg is a board-certified cardiologist, educator, author, and advocate for women’s health, who is passionate about changing the narrative around heart health, from prevention to treatment. Dr. Nieca currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Heart disease remains the #1 killer for both men and women in the U.S. yet is still largely observed and treated as a male-focused disease. Through her nationally recognized platform and work, Dr. Nieca has made it her mission to unpack the complexities of our healthcare system and empower communities with the tools to advocate for a healthier future. Dr. Nieca is a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and started the “Go Red for Women” campaign, the American Heart Association's national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. She also currently serves as Board Member of HealthyWomen, as well as Advisory Board Member of the Barnard Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being. Dr. Nieca previously was medical director of NYU Women’s Heart Program, Senior Advisor of Women’s Health Strategy at NYU Langone Health, and the founder and Medical Director of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health at the NYU Langone Medical Center.

Dr. Nieca currently serves on the Woman’s Day Editorial Advisory Board and hosts the podcast Beyond the Heart™ where she explores essential conversations with doctors, thought leaders, health practitioners, and game-changers to help listeners redefine the healing process and become their best health advocate. Dr. Nieca is the author of DR. NIECA GOLDBERG’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO WOMEN’S HEALTH. She has also authored the award winning and highly acclaimed book WOMEN ARE NOT SMALL MEN, which was updated and titled THE WOMEN’S HEALTHY HEART PROGRAM: Lifesaving Strategies for Preventing and Healing Heart Disease published by Ballantine Books. To raise awareness of heart health best practices, Dr. Nieca has made numerous appearances on programs such as The Today Show, The View, Good Morning America, CNN, and CBS Evening News. In addition, she has been featured and interviewed in leading national and international publications discussing women's health and heart disease, where she can be found sharing tips and insights on cardiovascular research updates, nutrition, exercise, and more. A graduate of Barnard College and SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, Dr. Nieca completed her medical residency at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and a cardiology fellowship at SUNY Downstate.

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It's Not Just Your Mother's Heart Disease: Why Heart Disease Is Affecting Young Women

It's Not Just Your Mother's Heart Disease: Why Heart Disease Is Affecting Young Women

Young women rarely worry about having a heart attack. They assume they're not at risk, but nothing could be further from the truth. Find out what increases risk.

Cardiovascular Diseases
heart disease

Young women rarely worry about having a heart attack. They assume they're not at risk, but nothing could be further from the truth. Heart disease is not just something your mother or grandmother needs to be concerned about.

You may be at increased risk of heart disease if you have or have had certain conditions, including:

  • An autoimmune disease, such as lupus or psoriatic arthritis

  • Gestational diabetes

  • Hypertension of pregnancy

  • Preeclampsia during pregnancy

  • Fibromuscular dysplasia

Autoimmune diseases create inflammation, which in turn triggers a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Fibromuscular dysplasia, which affects blood vessels, is found with far greater frequency in women. It increases the chances of a rare type of heart attack called a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). Instead of a heart attack caused by a clot—a myocardial infarction—a SCAD is caused by an acute tear in a coronary artery. Women with fibromuscular dysplasia should be monitored regularly by their health care professional and avoid high-intensity interval exercise and extreme emotional stress.

Warning signs of a SCAD are similar to other heart attack symptoms in women, including tightness or pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, fainting and extreme fatigue. It's important to note that a SCAD can happen to women who do not live with fibromuscular dysplasia and having the disorder doesn't mean you will have a SCAD heart attack.

Problems during pregnancy also increase risk for younger women, particularly gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and preeclampsia. African-American women and older mothers are particularly vulnerable. If you have high blood pressure during your pregnancy, it's important to be monitored frequently while pregnant and get regular checkups afterward. High blood pressure often returns after the baby is born.

With regular care and good maintenance, risk to your heart can be reduced. A lifestyle that includes a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, proper medication and reducing sodium and alcohol can help you and your heart have a long and healthy life.

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