I AM YOU

Dr Nitza Alvarez
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Dr Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and best-selling author, is sharing stories of women who speak up and become the CEO of their own health. For more information, visit NitzaMD.com

  1. 5d ago ·  Video

    How To Beat Medical Dismissal – Ep 88 – I AM YOU

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode combines real stories with medical insight to help women better understand their heart health, recognize when something may be wrong, and become stronger advocates for their own care. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is to empower every woman to become the CEO of their own health—with knowledge, confidence, and a voice in their healthcare decisions. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez tackles a problem far too many women experience: medical dismissal. You’ll hear the story of a 55-year-old woman who lived with chest pressure and shortness of breath for two years, only to be told that her symptoms were likely anxiety. Eventually, she began questioning herself and stopped bringing up what she was experiencing. Dr. Alvarez explains why women’s cardiovascular symptoms can be overlooked or misinterpreted, particularly when they don’t match the traditional “textbook” presentation of heart disease. She explores how symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw discomfort may be dismissed as stress or anxiety, and why women-specific factors—including microvascular disease and hormonal changes—need to be part of the conversation. In this episode, she covers: Why women’s heart symptoms can be dismissed or misdiagnosedHow traditional cardiac symptom patterns have historically been based largely on menWhy fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, and back or jaw discomfort deserve attentionHow anxiety can become a label before physical symptoms have been fully evaluatedWhy women may experience heart disease without the dramatic “textbook” symptomsThe role of small blood vessels and microvascular disease in women’s heart healthWhy hormonal changes during menopause matter when evaluating cardiovascular riskHow using specific language to describe symptoms can help your provider understand what you are experiencingWhy asking your provider to document concerns and conclusions in your medical record can change the conversationHow bringing a trusted advocate to an appointment can help you ask questions and process informationWhen to ask about additional or women-specific cardiac evaluationsWhy getting another opinion when symptoms persist is part of advocating for yourselfThis episode is a reminder that persistent symptoms are information—not an inconvenience. If something still feels wrong after you have been evaluated, you can continue asking questions, request clarification about what has and has not been ruled out, and seek another opinion. Becoming the CEO of your own health means listening to your body, communicating clearly, and taking an active role in making sure your concerns are fully evaluated. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment:  https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit: https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

    How To Beat Medical Dismissal – Ep 88 – I AM YOU

  2. Sep 23 ·  Video

    The Stroke with No Cause – Ep 87 – I AM YOU

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode brings together real stories and medical insights to help women better understand their heart health, recognize important symptoms, and take a more active role in their well-being. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is to empower every woman to become the CEO of their own health—equipped with knowledge, confidence, and the ability to advocate for themselves. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez examines a troubling scenario: a woman suffers a stroke, yet the scans, blood work, and other testing fail to reveal what caused it. Roughly one in three ischemic strokes is considered cryptogenic, meaning the cause remains undetermined. But “no cause found” does not always mean there is no underlying cause. Sometimes, the missing piece may be an intermittent heart rhythm problem—particularly atrial fibrillation (AFib) that appears briefly and disappears before routine testing can detect it. Dr. Alvarez explains how AFib may last only seconds or minutes and can sometimes cause subtle symptoms such as a fluttering or racing heart, fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath. For women going through perimenopause or menopause, these symptoms may be attributed to stress, anxiety, or hormonal changes. While hormones can certainly contribute to palpitations, they should not automatically be assumed to be the only explanation. Throughout the episode, Dr. Alvarez discusses: What doctors mean when they classify a stroke as “cryptogenic”Why “no cause found” may mean the cause simply has not been identified yetThe connection between atrial fibrillation and an increased risk of strokeWhy brief or silent episodes of AFib can be difficult to captureHow a normal EKG can miss an intermittent heart rhythm abnormalityWhy longer-term rhythm monitoring may uncover what a short test cannotHow perimenopause, menopause, and changing estrogen levels can affect heart rhythmWhy palpitations should not automatically be dismissed as anxiety or hormonesHow AFib symptoms in women may include fatigue, dizziness, breathlessness, or less obvious sensationsWhy tracking when symptoms occur, how long they last, and what accompanies them can help your provider see important patternsWhen it may be appropriate to ask about longer-term heart rhythm monitoringWhy women who have experienced a stroke with no identified cause should ask whether hidden AFib was adequately investigatedPractical steps women can take to advocate for a more complete evaluation when something does not feel rightThe central message of this episode is that symptoms are information. A flutter that lasts only a minute, a racing heart in the middle of the night, or an unexplained episode of dizziness may be easy to overlook—especially when an initial EKG or other testing comes back normal. But intermittent rhythm problems can be difficult to detect precisely because they are not always happening when the test is performed. Becoming the CEO of your own health means paying attention to patterns, understanding what your testing actually evaluated, and asking additional questions when symptoms continue. When it comes to preventing stroke, finding a hidden cause before it leads to a serious event can make all the difference. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment: https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit: https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

    The Stroke with No Cause – Ep 87 – I AM YOU

  3. Sep 19 ·  Video

    When “Normal” Is Wrong – Ep 86 – I AM YOU

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights that help women understand their unique heart health, manage stress, and take charge of their well-being. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is simple: to inspire every woman to become the CEO of their own health—with knowledge, confidence, and community. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez challenges one of the most frustrating words a woman can hear when she knows something is wrong: “normal.” You’ll meet a 48-year-old woman who spent a year dealing with exhaustion, shortness of breath, and a pounding heart—only to be told again and again that her tests were normal. Dr. Alvarez explains why a normal test result does not necessarily mean that nothing is wrong. Standard testing may be effective at identifying large, obvious problems, while missing conditions that can present differently in women—including disease involving the small blood vessels, early cardiovascular changes, and issues influenced by hormonal transitions. With clarity and compassion, she covers: What doctors may actually mean when they say a test is “normal”Why normal test results don’t necessarily rule out an underlying problemHow cardiovascular disease can present differently in women, including microvascular diseaseWhy hormonal changes and declining estrogen matter when evaluating a woman’s cardiovascular healthWhy persistent symptoms deserve further investigation—even when the initial workup is normalHow to ask your provider exactly what a test ruled out—and what it did notWhy asking about women-specific evaluations and additional testing can matterHow to make sure ongoing symptoms are documented in your medical recordWhy seeking a second opinion is not disloyalty—it’s diligenceFive practical steps to advocate for yourself when your body tells you something is wrongThis episode is a reminder that “normal” should not always be the end of the conversation. When a test says everything looks normal but your symptoms continue, you are allowed to keep asking questions, seek another opinion, and advocate for a deeper evaluation. Becoming the CEO of your own health means understanding what your test results actually tell you, listening to your body, and continuing to search for answers when something doesn’t feel right. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment: https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit: https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

    When “Normal” Is Wrong – Ep 86 – I AM YOU

  4. Sep 12 ·  Video

    Cold Hands, Tight Chest - Ep 85 - I AM YOU

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights that help women understand their unique heart health, manage stress, and take charge of their well-being. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is simple: to inspire every woman to become the CEO of their own health—with knowledge, confidence, and community. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez explores an often-overlooked early warning sign of cardiovascular disease: endothelial dysfunction—the loss of the artery lining’s ability to properly relax and regulate blood flow. Through the story of a woman experiencing persistent cold hands, chest tightness when climbing stairs, fatigue, mildly elevated cholesterol, and the changes of perimenopause, Dr. Alvarez explains why symptoms that are often dismissed as stress, anxiety, aging, or hormones may deserve a closer cardiovascular look. Dr. Alvarez breaks down how the endothelium—the thin layer of cells lining every artery in the body—uses nitric oxide to signal blood vessels to relax and allow healthy blood flow. She explains how elevated cholesterol can damage this delicate system long before a major blockage appears, and how declining estrogen during the menopause transition can further reduce the body’s ability to produce nitric oxide. Most importantly, this is a story of hope: endothelial dysfunction is one of the earliest and most reversible stages of cardiovascular disease, and early intervention can help restore healthy vascular function. With clarity and compassion, she covers: What the endothelium is and why this tiny layer of cells plays such a major role in cardiovascular healthHow nitric oxide signals arteries to relax and support healthy blood flowWhy cholesterol matters beyond simply being a number on a lab reportHow endothelial dysfunction can begin before plaque or blockages are visible on conventional testingWhy cold hands, chest tightness with exertion, and unexplained fatigue should not automatically be dismissed as stress or anxietyHow falling estrogen during perimenopause and menopause affects nitric oxide and vascular functionWhy menopause and cardiovascular health should be part of the same conversationHow lowering cardiovascular risk can allow endothelial function to improve—even before the artery itself looks structurally perfectWhy women should know their LDL and understand it in the context of their overall cardiovascular and hormonal riskPractical ways to protect the endothelium through movement, nutrition, sleep, avoiding smoking, and appropriate medical careWhen new or worsening chest tightness—especially with exertion—needs prompt medical evaluationThis episode is a reminder that prevention begins long before a heart attack or a major blockage. Your symptoms are data. Your cholesterol, hormones, and symptoms should be evaluated as part of one cardiovascular story—not treated as unrelated issues. Do not wait for an early, reversible warning sign to become an emergency. Listen to your body, ask better questions, and advocate for comprehensive care as the CEO of your own health. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment:  https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit:  https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

    Cold Hands, Tight Chest - Ep 85 - I AM YOU

  5. Sep 5 ·  Video

    I Don't Feel Like Myself - Ep 84 - I AM YOU

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights that help women understand their unique heart health, manage stress, and take charge of their well-being. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is simple: to inspire every woman to become the CEO of their own health—with knowledge, confidence, and community. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez explores a feeling many women struggle to explain: “I just don’t feel like myself.” Maybe you’re less patient than you used to be. Your mind feels foggy. You forget things. Your emotions feel bigger, your motivation has changed, or the joy you once felt easily seems harder to find. Dr. Alvarez explains why these changes may be more than stress or simply “getting older.” During perimenopause, fluctuating estrogen can affect serotonin, dopamine, focus, memory, emotional steadiness, and the nervous system. And because estrogen also plays an important role in the heart and blood vessels, what feels like an emotional or cognitive shift may also be connected to changes in cardiovascular health. With clarity and compassion, she covers: Why “I don’t feel like myself” can be a real physiological signalHow fluctuating estrogen can affect mood, memory, focus, motivation, and emotional stabilityThe connection between estrogen, the brain, blood vessels, and cardiovascular healthWhy brain fog and mood changes shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as stress, anxiety, depression, or agingHow to identify and describe exactly what has changed instead of simply saying, “I feel off”Why tracking symptoms against your menstrual cycle can reveal important patternsThe importance of deep sleep and regular strength training during perimenopause and menopauseHow to ask your healthcare provider directly whether perimenopause could explain how you’re feelingWhy you shouldn’t accept “it’s just stress” as the final answer when it doesn’t fit what’s happening in your lifeDr. Alvarez also shares five practical actions women can take to better understand these changes: name your symptoms precisely, track them against your cycle, protect sleep and strength, ask directly about hormonal transitions, and keep looking deeper when stress alone doesn’t explain what you’re experiencing. The message of this episode is simple: you haven’t lost yourself. Changes in your chemistry can affect how you think, feel, and function—and those changes deserve to be understood, not dismissed. Listen to your body, ask better questions, and advocate for the care you need as the CEO of your own health. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment: https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit: https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.

    I Don't Feel Like Myself - Ep 84 - I AM YOU

  6. Aug 28

    Arrhythmias in Women - Ep 83 - I AM YOU

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights that help women understand their unique heart health, manage stress, and take charge of their well-being. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is simple: to inspire every woman to become the CEO of their own health—with knowledge, confidence, and community. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez uncovers one of the most common—and most overlooked—reasons women are told “it’s just anxiety” when something much more specific is happening: cardiac arrhythmias. Through the story of a 51-year-old woman whose racing heart was dismissed for years as stress and panic attacks, she explains why women are far more likely to have real heart rhythm disorders misdiagnosed and why getting the right diagnosis can be life-changing. Dr. Alvarez explains the heart’s electrical system in clear, practical language and reveals how female hormones—especially estrogen—directly influence heart rhythm. She also discusses why palpitations often increase during perimenopause and menopause, while emphasizing that hormonal changes should never be used as a reason to dismiss symptoms without proper evaluation. With clarity and compassion, she covers: Why women are significantly more likely than men to have arrhythmias mistaken for anxietyWhat an arrhythmia actually is—and how the heart’s electrical system worksThe relationship between estrogen, menopause, and heart rhythm changesCommon myths about palpitations, normal EKGs, and anxietyWhy a heart monitor is often necessary to capture intermittent rhythm abnormalitiesWhen to seek evaluation by an electrophysiologist and how catheter ablation can provide a lasting solutionFive practical steps every woman can take to advocate for herself and obtain an accurate diagnosisThis episode is a powerful reminder that your symptoms deserve to be investigated—not dismissed. A racing heart is not a character flaw, and “just anxiety” should never be the final answer until the rhythm has been properly recorded. Dr. Alvarez encourages every woman to trust her body, ask the right questions, and become the CEO of their own health by advocating for the care she deserves. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment: https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit: https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook.

    Arrhythmias in Women - Ep 83 - I AM YOU

  7. Aug 23

    I AM YOU – Ep. 82 – Perimenopause Is Not Just Aging

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights that help women understand their unique heart health, manage stress, and take charge of their well-being. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is simple: to inspire every woman to become the CEO of their own health—with knowledge, confidence, and community. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez addresses one of the most common misconceptions women hear in their 40s: “It’s just aging.” Through the story of a healthy, active 45-year-old woman whose body suddenly seemed unfamiliar, she explains why symptoms that appear almost overnight are often not the result of aging at all—but the hormonal transition of perimenopause. Dr. Alvarez breaks down the difference between gradual aging and the rapid hormonal shifts of perimenopause, explaining how fluctuating estrogen and progesterone affect far more than menstrual cycles. She explores why this transition impacts sleep, mood, metabolism, focus, heart health, and overall well-being—and why recognizing it early creates a powerful opportunity for prevention rather than resignation. With clarity and compassion, she covers: Why perimenopause is not simply “getting older”How hormone fluctuations affect sleep, weight, mood, metabolism, and cardiovascular healthWhy estrogen plays a critical role in protecting the heart—and what changes as levels declineCommon myths about perimenopause and the facts every woman should knowThe importance of tracking symptoms and recognizing hormonal patternsFive practical steps you can take today, including monitoring your cardiovascular health, building a strong foundation through strength training, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and having informed conversations about hormones with healthcare providers who understand women’s heart health.This episode is a reminder that you do not have to accept “it’s just aging” as the final answer. Understanding the transition of perimenopause allows you to advocate for yourself, protect your heart, and become the CEO of your own health. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment:  https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook.

    I AM YOU – Ep. 82 – Perimenopause Is Not Just Aging

  8. Aug 16

    Living with POTS - Ep. 81 - I AM YOU

    I AM YOU is hosted by Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights that help women understand their unique heart health, manage stress, and take charge of their well-being. Dr. Alvarez’s mission is simple: to inspire every woman to become the CEO of their own health—with knowledge, confidence, and community. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez follows up on her previous discussion about POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) with the question many women ask after finally getting a diagnosis: Now that I know what POTS is, how do I actually live with it? Rather than focusing on the diagnosis itself, Dr. Alvarez provides a practical toolkit for managing POTS day to day. She explains how movement, hydration, sodium, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments can work together to improve blood volume, circulation, and cardiovascular resilience. With clear, actionable guidance, she covers: Why the right kind of exercise can be one of the most powerful tools for managing POTSHow to begin with recumbent exercise, rowing, swimming, and floor exercises before gradually progressing to upright activityWhy strengthening your legs matters—and how your leg muscles act as a “second heart” to help move blood upwardWhy hydration requires both fluids and electrolytes, not simply more waterHow sodium can help expand blood volume—and why increased sodium intake should first be discussed with your doctorWhat to eat, including protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and naturally salty whole foodsWhy eating four to six smaller meals may help reduce the post-meal crashes many people with POTS experienceWhat to limit or avoid, including alcohol, large high-fat meals, and refined carbohydrates on their ownWhere to find additional education and support through organizations such as Dysautonomia International and Standing Up to POTSDr. Alvarez also lays out five things you can start this week: move strategically, prioritize fluids, add sodium when medically appropriate, eat smaller meals more frequently, and connect with a POTS community. The goal isn’t simply to get through the next flare—it’s to build habits that support a stronger, more resilient cardiovascular system over time. This episode is a reminder that receiving a POTS diagnosis is only the beginning. Understanding what your body needs, developing a plan that works for you, and building the right care team can help you move from simply managing symptoms to taking an active role as the CEO of your own health. Take the Heart Health Risk Assessment: https://nitzamd.com/are-you-at-risk/ Visit https://NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook.

    Living with POTS - Ep. 81 - I AM YOU
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Dr Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and best-selling author, is sharing stories of women who speak up and become the CEO of their own health. For more information, visit NitzaMD.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Nitza Alvarez
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 I AM YOU
  • Show Website
    I AM YOU