Every woman’s heart has a story. As she moves through life, age, hormonal changes, pregnancy and other factors shape that tale and can affect her cardiovascular risk for years to come.
Statistics show that heart disease is becoming increasingly prevalent in women. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 45% of U.S. women age 20 and older have some form of cardiovascular disease. In addition to well-known risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco smoking, and family history, research shows that certain pregnancy complications, menopausal changes, and other female-sex specific factors can significantly increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Summit Health is taking women’s health to heart. With five new cardiologists joining its team of more than 30 board-certified specialists, the team is expanding access to cardiac care across northern New Jersey. Additionally, Summit Health has one of the area’s largest groups of female cardiologists, bringing added perspective and expertise to the heart health needs women may face throughout their lifetime.
“Our team has the unique benefit of understanding how the cardiovascular risk factors for women evolve over time, and often accelerate through life’s biggest transitions,” says Dhara Shah, DO, cardiologist on Summit Health’s Livingston team. “Our role is to listen—to understand where each patient is in her life, what her heart may be telling us, and how we can help her protect it for years ahead.”
For women with pre-existing heart conditions, pregnancy can place additional demands on the cardiovascular system. Habibat Aziz Garuba, MD, FRCPC, a cardiologist who sees patients in Livingston and specializes in cardio-obstetrics and women’s heart health, helps women with heart conditions safely navigate pregnancy and the post-partum period. Her team works closely with Summit Health’s network of OB/GYN physicians and maternal fetal medicine specialists.
"Our goal is to help women feel informed, supported and confident as they navigate pregnancy while protecting their health and their baby,” says Dr. Garuba.
More Heart Care, Close to Home
At Summit Health’s new multispecialty center at 39 W. Northfield Road in Livingston, award-winning heart care is now even closer to home. Opened in November 2026, the new location brings expanded cardiology services, advanced cardiac testing and specialized expertise together under one roof.
Here, patients can access a broad range of cardiovascular care and advanced imaging including echocardiography, stress testing, nuclear testing, heart rhythm monitoring, electrophysiology and device management, along with specialized care for coronary artery and valve disease. Vascular surgery and a state-of-the-art vascular lab located directly at 39 W. Northfield Road further connect cardiovascular services in one convenient location.
“This new location expands our cardiovascular care for the community. For women, that means greater access to comprehensive heart care—from evaluating symptoms and managing risk factors to monitoring heart health during pregnancy and menopause,” says Robert Altman, MD, chief of cardiology at Summit Health.
Three echocardiography suites and two nuclear cameras provide cutting-edge diagnostic imaging that helps our physicians evaluate heart structure, function and blood flow. Our full-time electrophysiologists provide specialized care for heart rhythm conditions, including diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias as well as pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator management.
“Having this breadth of expertise in one location can make it easier to coordinate care, recognize changes early and develop a plan tailored to each patient’s needs,” Dr. Altman adds.
A New Chapter in Heart Care
This is only the beginning for Summit Health, when it comes to expanding heart care for the women of Livingston. In late 2027, a new cardiac imaging suite is expected to open at 75 East Northfield Road, bringing advanced capabilities such as PET/CT and coronary CT angiography to the community. These technologies will give cardiologists additional tools to evaluate the heart’s blood vessels, structure and function and help guide more personalized treatment decisions.
“By bringing advanced imaging and highly specialized expertise together, we’re creating a more connected, comprehensive experience for patients—expanding access to the care they need, closer to home.” says Liliana Cohen, MD, a cardiologist who sees patients in Clark and Berkeley Heights, NJ.
Across the spectrum of her lifespan, every woman’s cardiovascular journey is different when it comes to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term heart health. At Summit Health, the goal is to understand her story, recognize how her heart may change along the way and provide the expertise and support she needs for every chapter ahead.