Women’s Health Needs More Time and Attention: Why Systole Is Expanding to Texas, Georgia, and Beyond
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the United States, yet many symptoms and risk factors often go undiagnosed or undertreated, especially in states like Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and Illinois, where cardiovascular disease rates and healthcare access gaps are particularly concerning.
At Systole, we’re committed to closing this gap by providing personalized, women-focused cardiovascular care in regions where it’s needed most. That’s why we’ve expanded to Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, bringing expert heart health support directly to you.
Texas: Heart Health Challenges in a Diverse and Growing Population
Texas is home to a vibrant and rapidly growing population, but with that growth comes a rising burden of heart disease, especially among women. Nearly 23% of women in Texas face barriers to adequate insurance coverage1 2, making it harder to access essential heart screenings and preventive care. Women here experience higher rates of heart disease and strokes, with rural and minority communities disproportionately affected3. This gap in care highlights the urgent need for accessible cardiovascular support tailored to Texas women’s unique needs.
At Systole, we recognize these challenges and are committed to delivering extended, focused care that goes beyond typical doctor visits. Our approach offers Texas women the time and expertise needed to address heart health compassionately.
Georgia: Bridging the Heart Health Divide for Women Across Communities
In Georgia, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, with Black women experiencing a cardiovascular mortality rate approximately 28% higher than their White counterparts4. Social determinants such as income, education, and healthcare access create significant disparities in outcomes, particularly in underserved communities. Many women in Georgia struggle with unmanaged hypertension, obesity, and diabetes - all major contributors to heart disease - but often lack the time or resources to get the tailored care they need.
Systole’s care model in Georgia aims to close this gap by providing longer, personalized visits that focus on the whole person, not just symptoms. We empower women to understand their risks, optimize their health, and make informed decisions in a supportive environment.
Cardiovascular Risks and Women’s Health in the Midwest
Ohio ranks seventh nationwide for stroke deaths, approximately 17% higher than the U.S. average5, with midlife metabolic changes, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes fueling cardiovascular risk. Meanwhile, postmenopausal women commonly experience significant LDL cholesterol increases (10–17 mg/dL on average) which compounds risk if left unmanaged. In Illinois and Michigan, this highlights the urgent need for proactive lipid management in a population already burdened by chronic hypertension and disease risk. Given these trends, women in the Midwest benefit particularly from an extended visit model that screens for silent stroke signs, tracks blood pressure and lipid changes through menopause, and supports complex care decisions like GLP‑1 therapy.
Common Heart Health Concerns Across These States
Women across our six expansion states face a similar set of hurdles that standard 15-minute visits rarely solve:
- Short appointment times that limit in-depth conversations about symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, or shortness of breath.
- Under-recognized heart disease symptoms that differ from the classic chest pain.
- Persistent hypertension and elevated stroke risk.
- Metabolic shifts during menopause that impact cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight.
- Complex decisions about GLP-1 medications, from insurance eligibility to cardiometabolic benefits.
- Limited access to preventive care, especially for women in rural or underserved communities.
Addressing these issues requires comprehensive, personalized care that looks beyond quick fixes.
How Systole’s 60-Minute Heart Health Visits Make a Difference
At Systole, our longer, focused appointments allow us to:
- Review your full cardiovascular and metabolic health profile.
- Discuss symptoms often missed in short visits, like unexplained weakness or dizziness.
- Evaluate lab results and risk factors in the context of your health conditions, lifestyle, and goals.
- Explore medication options, including GLP-1s, in detail.
- Build a personalized, actionable plan for heart health—whether that includes medication or lifestyle changes.
Expanding Access to Women’s Heart Health Where It’s Needed Most
Our expansion to Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas reflects both market need and our commitment to reaching women facing significant cardiovascular risk. With more time and a personalized approach, women in these states can better understand and take control of their heart health.
Your Heart Health Deserves More Than 15 Minutes
If you’re experiencing symptoms, navigating menopause, or curious about the role of medications like GLP-1s in heart health, Systole is ready to help. Join a 60-minute virtual group session led by our cardiovascular specialists and get a personalized action plan and learn alongside women who share your journey.
Our sources:
1Kaiser Family Foundation. Texas: Women’s Health Insurance Coverage Data. KFF Women’s Health Profiles, Kaiser Family Foundation, 2025, https://www.kff.org/interactive/womens-health-profiles/texas/healthcare-coverage/.
2Texas Medical Association. Quick Statistics on the Uninsured in Texas and the U.S. Texas Medical Association, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.texmed.org/TexasUninsuredStats/.
3Coulter, Susan A. “Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Risk, Advances, and Alarms.” Texas Heart Institute Journal, vol. 38, no. 2, 2011, pp. 145‑47. PubMed Central, PMID 21494522, PMCID PMC3066813.
4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interactive Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2024, https://nccd.cdc.gov/DHDSPAtlas/.
5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Hypertension Mortality by State.” Stats of the States, National Center for Health Statistics, 3 Mar. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/hypertension_mortality/hypertension.htm.