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. If You’re Forgetting Words Lately… Watch This – I AM YOU – Ep. 62

    4D AGO

    If You’re Forgetting Words Lately… Watch This – I AM YOU – Ep. 62

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights to help women protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life — and step into their power as the CEO of their own health. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez speaks directly to the fear so many women carry in silence: forgetting words, losing focus, walking into a room and forgetting why they are there, or wondering if something is wrong with their brain. For many women, these moments are deeply unsettling — but as Dr. Alvarez explains, they are often not signs of dementia at all. They may be signs of perimenopause.   Dr. Alvarez breaks down the science behind brain fog during the menopausal transition, explaining that estrogen is not just a reproductive hormone — it is also a brain hormone that affects memory, focus, processing speed, blood flow, and inflammation. When estrogen fluctuates, the brain feels it. And for many women, that can show up as cognitive changes that feel scary, frustrating, and isolating.   With clarity and reassurance, she explains: Why brain fog is one of the most common symptoms of perimenopauseWhy hormonal changes can affect both the brain and the cardiovascular systemWhy this stage of life is not just a hormonal transition, but also a heart health transitionThe myths women are often told about brain fog — and the truth behind themThe minimum tests worth discussing with your doctor, including lipid panel, fasting glucose/insulin resistance markers, and thyroid functionPractical steps that can help, including improving sleep, strength training, reducing alcohol, and supporting the brain with better nutrition and informed clinical care  Dr. Alvarez also shares an encouraging reminder: research shows that many women experience cognitive changes during this transition, and for many, those symptoms improve once the transition stabilizes. This episode is both a reassurance and a call to action — your brain is not necessarily failing; it may be adapting.   If you have been feeling mentally slower, more forgetful, or unlike yourself lately, this episode will help you understand what your body may be trying to tell you. Because when women understand the connection between hormones, the brain, and the heart, they can stop blaming themselves, start asking better questions, and become the CEO of their own health.   Visit NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook

    10 min
  2. I AM YOU – Ep. 61 – Why Testosterone Matters for Women Too

    MAR 25

    I AM YOU – Ep. 61 – Why Testosterone Matters for Women Too

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights to help women protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life — and step into their power as the CEO of their own health.   In this episode, Dr. Alvarez breaks down one of the most misunderstood hormones in women’s health: testosterone. Far too often labeled a “male hormone,” testosterone has been overlooked in women for decades — despite the fact that it plays a critical role in energy, motivation, muscle mass, metabolism, brain function, sexual desire, and even vascular health.     Through the story of a woman in midlife who no longer felt like herself, Dr. Alvarez explains how hormone shifts during perimenopause and menopause can affect far more than libido. She connects the dots between testosterone, cardiometabolic health, inflammation, blood pressure, sleep, and long-term heart risk — making the case that hormone care without cardiovascular awareness is incomplete care.     With clarity and urgency, she unpacks: • Why testosterone is not just about sex — it is a metabolic, vascular, and reproductive hormone in women • Why women naturally produce testosterone, and why calling it a “male hormone” is misleading • The biggest myths about testosterone therapy in women • Why symptoms cannot be understood from one lab value alone • Which tests matter most, including total testosterone, SHBG, free testosterone, lipids, ApoB, glucose, A1C, and blood pressure • Why physiologic dosing, proper testing, and careful monitoring matter • Five practical steps women can take right now to protect both their hormones and their hearts       This episode is both a reality check and an invitation: if your energy, desire, metabolism, or sense of self has changed, do not ignore it. Understanding your hormones is not vanity — it is part of understanding your cardiovascular health, your vitality, and your future. Because becoming the CEO of your own health starts with finally understanding the biology no one ever explained to you.   Visit NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook

    18 min
  3. I AM YOU – Ep. 60 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Why Women Get Dismissed

    MAR 18

    I AM YOU – Ep. 60 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Why Women Get Dismissed

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights to help women protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life — and step into their power as the CEO of their own health. In this Ask the Heart Doctor-style episode, Dr. Alvarez answers some of the most urgent questions women ask when they feel unheard, dismissed, exhausted, or afraid that something deeper is being missed. This is a powerful conversation about self-advocacy, prevention, and the dangerous cost of waiting too long to take symptoms seriously. If you’ve ever seen multiple providers and still felt like no one was truly listening, this episode is for you. Dr. Alvarez explains how women can better advocate for themselves, why understanding and clearly describing symptoms matters, and why finding a provider who truly listens can be life-changing. She also challenges one of the most common mindsets in medicine: waiting until things get bad enough for the emergency room. Her message is clear — prevention is always better than reaction. With urgency and clarity, she breaks down: • How women can advocate for themselves when they feel dismissed by the medical system • Why frustration can interfere with communication — and how to present symptoms more effectively • Why education is power, and how informed women can have stronger conversations with their providers • Why you should never settle for a doctor who doesn’t listen • Why asking “What should send me to the ER?” is the wrong question — and what to ask instead • The critical importance of prevention, proactive testing, and thorough cardiovascular evaluation • What women should know about heart function, valves, rhythm, arteries, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and more • How anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and sleep deprivation directly affect the heart and increase cardiovascular risk • Why exhaustion, fatigue, and unexplained tiredness may be more than “just stress” — and when they could be heart-related • Why women in menopause and post-menopause especially need to take these symptoms seriously This episode is both a wake-up call and an invitation: stop normalizing exhaustion, dismissal, and silence. If something feels wrong, keep asking questions. Keep pushing for answers. Becoming the CEO of your own health starts with listening to your body, taking your symptoms seriously, and refusing to settle for less than the care you deserve.       Visit NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook

    11 min
  4. I AM YOU – Ep. 59 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Small Habits, Big Consequences

    MAR 13

    I AM YOU – Ep. 59 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Small Habits, Big Consequences

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights to help women protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life — and step into their power as the CEO of their own health. In this Ask the Heart Doctor episode, Dr. Alvarez answers some of the most common questions women have about everyday habits that can quietly shape heart health. From exercise and visceral fat to chronic stress, caregiving, alcohol, salt, and caffeine, this conversation breaks down why prevention is not one-size-fits-all — especially for women. If you have ever wondered why your body seems to respond differently in perimenopause or menopause, or why certain “healthy” habits are not giving you the same results they used to, this episode brings clarity, context, and practical guidance. With her signature mix of science and compassion, Dr. Alvarez explains: What kind of exercise is safest and most effective for the heart — and why any movement is better than noneWhy strength training becomes especially important as women age and lose muscle massWhy weight gain around the middle is often visceral fat, and how it raises cardiovascular riskHow chronic stress — including the stress of caregiving — can affect blood pressure, cortisol, insulin resistance, and overall heart healthWhy women are more sensitive than men to alcohol, and how female physiology changes alcohol metabolismWhy women can also be more sensitive to salt, particularly during the menopause transition, when hormonal changes affect blood pressure and fluid balanceHow estrogen influences caffeine metabolism, and why caffeine may trigger palpitations, anxiety, or higher blood pressure in some womenThis episode is a reminder that prevention is not just about avoiding disease — it is about understanding your body, recognizing what has changed, and taking action early. Because becoming the CEO of your own health means paying attention to the signals your body is sending and making informed choices that protect your heart for the long term. Visit NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook

    11 min
  5. I AM YOU – Ep. 58 – Ask a Heart Doctor: Progesterone

    MAR 4

    I AM YOU – Ep. 58 – Ask a Heart Doctor: Progesterone

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights to help women protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life — and step into their power as the CEO of their own health.   In this episode, Dr. Alvarez breaks down one of midlife medicine’s most common—and most dangerous—confusions: treating symptoms without protecting the heart. She explains why many women in their late 30s, 40s, and early 50s are placed on progesterone alone for sleep, racing heart, or “anxiety”… and still feel like something is wrong—because they’re missing the full picture.   With clarity and urgency, she explains: What progesterone does well (calming effects, sleep/mood support, stabilizing the uterine lining)  What progesterone does not do: it is not a cardiovascular hormone and does not reduce heart disease risk  Why estrogen matters for the heart: endothelial health, vascular flexibility, inflammation, and early prevention signals during hormonal decline  A critical safety point: if you have a uterus, you should not take estrogen without progesterone (progesterone protects the uterus)  The “timing hypothesis”: a midlife window when hormones can do more than relieve symptoms—they can help preserve vascular function  Why “normal labs” can be misleading: “the heart doesn’t read lab reports”—treatment decisions should be grounded in symptoms, risk, and proper evaluation  This is a direct call-to-action for women who don’t feel like themselves: don’t settle for partial relief while your cardiovascular trajectory quietly worsens. Ask for a real evaluation. Ask about estrogen, progesterone, and timing—because prevention isn’t just feeling better today; it’s protecting your heart for the next decade. And that’s what it means to be the CEO of your own health.   Visit NitzaMD.com   Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook

    6 min
  6. I AM YOU – Ep. 57 – Ask a Heart Doctor: Medications & Treatment

    FEB 25

    I AM YOU – Ep. 57 – Ask a Heart Doctor: Medications & Treatment

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights so women can speak up, protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life, and step into their power as the CEO of their own health.   In this Ask a Heart Doctor episode, Dr. Alvarez answers one of the most important (and most overlooked) questions in women’s cardiovascular care: are heart medications actually tested in women the way they’re tested in men? If you’ve ever started a new medication and thought, “Why do I feel so off?”—this episode explains why that experience is common, valid, and often rooted in a system built around male bodies.   She breaks down how male-centric medicine became the default, why women were historically excluded from clinical studies (including hormone-cycle variability and pregnancy concerns), and how that decision still impacts dosing, side effects, and outcomes for women today. Then she turns it into action: ask to see the research, ask what data exists in women, and consider participating in studies so the next generation has better answers.   With clarity and practicality, Dr. Alvarez covers: Are heart medications tested in women? Why the honest answer is often “not enough”  Why women can feel more side effects (and why those effects may be underreported)  Birth control / hormone therapy interactions: why oral estrogen can matter because of liver metabolism, and why transdermal options may behave differently  Pregnancy risk: why some common cardio meds can be harmful to a fetus, and why planning (or lack of contraception) should change the conversation with your doctor  This episode is a direct invitation to advocate for yourself. If you’re on heart medications and you “don’t feel right,” don’t dismiss it—bring the question back to your provider, ask about interactions, and make sure your plan fits your body and life stage. Becoming the CEO of your own health starts with refusing silent suffering.   Visit NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook If this episode resonated, please like, subscribe, and share with a woman you love.

    10 min
  7. I AM YOU – Ep. 56 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

    FEB 11

    I AM YOU – Ep. 56 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, women’s heart specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights so women can speak up, protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life, and step into their power as the CEO of their own health.     In this FAQ-style episode, Dr. Alvarez answers real questions about blood pressure and cholesterol—and why so many women are navigating major heart-risk shifts with guidance built from male-only data.   If you’re in your 40s or 50s and you were told your cholesterol is “suddenly elevated,” Dr. Alvarez breaks down why it’s often not random—and why hormones (especially estrogen changes during menopause) can be a major driver.   With clarity and urgency, she covers: Blood pressure targets: Ideal is 120/80; ≥130/80 meets criteria for hypertension (for women and men), while symptoms like dizziness still matter in real life decision-making.  Why menopause changes cholesterol: As estrogen declines, cholesterol metabolism shifts—LDL (“bad”) can rise, HDL (“good”) can fall, and triglycerides may be affected when insulin resistance/weight distribution changes show up.  Before you default to cholesterol meds: If a provider is recommending medication during peri/menopause, she urges a conversation about hormones and the “why” behind the change.  Statins and women: Why many women report lower tolerance and how differences in metabolism can contribute to side effects.  When statins are clearly indicated: If there’s a history like stroke, heart attack, stent placement, open-heart surgery, or a condition requiring therapy, that’s a different risk conversation.  Side effects women should watch for: Muscle aches/soreness, joint pain, rising blood sugar/A1c, and concerns some women raise about memory—plus what to discuss with your doctor if symptoms appear.  This episode is a call-to-action: your lab values and vitals are data—but your lived symptoms are, too. Listen to your body, ask better questions, and remember: becoming the CEO of your own health starts with refusing to be dismissed.     Visit NitzaMD.com Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook

    10 min
  8. I AM YOU – Ep. 55 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Palpitations

    FEB 4

    I AM YOU – Ep. 55 – Ask the Heart Doctor: Palpitations

    I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights to help women protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life — and step into their power as the CEO of their own health.   In this Ask the Heart Doctor-style episode, Dr. Alvarez tackles one of the most dismissed symptoms women bring to the ER and to their doctors: palpitations. If you’ve ever been told “your tests are normal” — or worse, “it’s just anxiety” — this episode reframes palpitations for what they often are: a signal, not a diagnosis, and not something to ignore.   Dr. Alvarez explains why palpitations are especially common during perimenopause and menopause, including data showing that at least 1 in 5 women in the menopause transition report palpitations — and in perimenopause, that number can rise above 40%.   With clarity and urgency, she breaks down: •Why hormonal transition can trigger palpitations (and why women aren’t “overreacting”)   •Why a normal EKG isn’t the end of the story — it’s a snapshot that may miss what’s happening outside the exam room   •What proper evaluation should include: •EKG + rhythm monitoring (Holter, extended monitors, patches) based on symptom frequency   •Why women are less likely to be referred for advanced testing — despite better outcomes with ambulatory monitoring   •When an implantable loop recorder may be appropriate (especially for sporadic or unresolved palpitations)   •Thyroid + iron studies, and when structural evaluation matters   This episode is a direct call-to-action: the most dangerous advice might be doing nothing. If palpitations are affecting your life, ask for a real workup — because women deserve answers, and becoming the CEO of your own health starts with taking your symptoms seriously.   Visit NitzaMD.com   Follow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook

    8 min
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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
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 I AM YOU
  • Show Website
    I AM YOU