63. Patient Safety Stories: Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Women

In this episode, Dr. Lyn Behnke, shares her personal journey of misdiagnosis and subsequent heart attack, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and symptom awareness, especially in women. The conversation explores various risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women, alongside strategies for improving healthcare outcomes through effective communication and patient empowerment.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into:

• diagnostic errors and patient safety,
• empowering both healthcare providers and patients with knowledge and tools to enhance healthcare experiences, and
• preventing delays in care.

Resources:

Bio:

Dr. Lyn Behnke, a WomenHeart Champion, has a long and varied career as a primary care provider, a critical care nurse, a family practice and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, a cardiovascular nurse practitioner, an assistant professor, and a researcher with over 50 publications and invited presentations in the past ten years. 

Dr. Behnke’s passion for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of women with heart disease began with her own challenges with heart disease and is apparent in her practice and in her presentations to funders, donors, and other women with heart disease. Her sense of humor, ability to adapt to different cultures, and belief in health equity for everyone serve to provide leadership at the board level and beyond.

Her experience with SIDM, the NIH, NEMCSA, PCORI, and other patient-facing organizations helps to provide bridges between WomenHeart and partners who have joined the work of Support, Advocacy, and Education for and about heart disease in women.