Dr Clare Arnott: Helping close the heart health gender gap

Dr Clare Arnott knows all too well that heart disease doesn’t discriminate.

As a cardiologist and researcher, she has a special interest in women’s unique experience of heart disease. She is passionate about improving the heart health of all women living in Australia and established Australia’s first Women’s Heart Clinic, based in Sydney. The service aims to improve the timely diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions that are more frequently seen in women.

“I see a lot of pregnancy-related heart disease, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and other female-specific conditions,” she explains. “I am passionate about ensuring all women, including First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse women, have access to health care and evidence-based treatments.”

For Dr Arnott, it’s the women she cares for in her clinic that drive her ground-breaking research. “I often care for women with heart conditions that don’t have much high-quality evidence,” she says. “Not having this evidence inspires me as a researcher and motivates me to work harder to improve outcomes for the women I see. It’s such a privilege to be a part of their journey.”

Dr Arnott’s research spans from discovering new ways to screen for heart disease risk factors, to reducing heart disease risk in women with pregnancy-related high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. In recognition of her incredible dedication to her work, Dr Arnott was honoured with a NSW Ministerial Award for Cardiovascular Research in 2022.

Another of Dr Arnott’s many roles is that of a busy mum to her two sons. “They are sports crazy, so our weekends are filled with cricket, soccer, athletics and more cricket,” she says. “For me, it’s all about family time.” When she’s not cheering her boys on from the sidelines, Dr Arnott likes to spend time in the great outdoors, drinking coffee and hanging out with her two rescue cats.

Dr Arnott is a proud ambassador for our 2024 Hand on Heart campaign.

The Heart Foundation plays an essential role in health advocacy in Australia. I have been impressed with the role the Heart Foundation has taken advocating for ways to improve heart health outcomes for women, First Nations peoples, and culturally and linguistically diverse groups."

Dr Clare Arnott

Cardiologist and researcher

By pushing boundaries, by exploring new treatments, and by continuing to inform, we can help save lives and improve the lives of people touched by heart disease. Thanks to the generous support of everyday Australians, we can continue to help fund live-saving research and education programs to support the vital work of health professionals like Dr Arnott.

Help make heart disease history. Donate today.