Heart matters are more than a mission for two Birmingham cardiovascular specialists. For Dr. Anabela Simon-Lee and Dr. Timothy Lee, heart matters are their life.

Dr. Timothy Lee

The couple met in 1991 and has been married for more than 12 years. They partner through their medical practice to raise awareness of heart disease and combat the ailments it causes. And they also partner in rearing their twin daughters.

“I really wasn’t certain of the specialty I wanted to enter early in medical school. But when I met Anabela, and saw her passion for treating cardiovascular disease, I was convinced. I knew what I wanted to do,” Lee said recently while preparing to make evening rounds at a Birmingham hospital.

Simon-Lee was also at the hospital making Sunday evening rounds. Earlier in the day, the couple gave a presentation on heart health and awareness at a local church. Saturday was filled with karate practice, birthday parties and family time.

Dr. Anabela Simon-Lee

“We’re partners in life. We’re partners in our practice,” said Simon-Lee. “It’s a team effort. We’re both doing the same thing, and we enjoy what we do.”

Both physicians are pleased with the increased emphasis on heart health for women and the emphasis on women’s heart disease.

“This is important to our mission. We are here to serve the community. We want to bring awareness and education on this issue,” she said.

Cardiovascular health in women is of particular concern for both doctors, because it is the No. 1 cause of death in American women. According to a study published in 2011 by the American Heart Association:

• Cardiovascular disease causes one death per minute in the United States.
• Cardiovascular disease rates in the United States are significantly higher for black females compared with their white counterparts.
• Only 53 percent of women said they would first call 911 if they suspected they were having a heart attack.
• Too often, women fail to recognize the symptoms of heart attack or heart disease until it is too late, Lee said.

“Many women lead busy lives. You may have a lot of people who depend on you. You may also feel that sometimes you don’t have enough time to do what’s needed to keep your heart healthy,” Lee said. “But whatever else is going on in your life, you need to periodically focus on yourself first. By taking care of your personal health now, you will help make sure you’ll be around later for the many other people who depend on you.”

Classic symptoms of a heart attack include sudden and intense chest pain; pain or discomfort in the chest or stomach that radiates to one of both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw; shortness of breath; or sweating, nausea or light-headedness.

Women, however, often experience “non-classic” symptoms of heart attack that are overlooked, the doctors said. Those symptoms include mild chest discomfort; pressure, squeezing, tightness or fullness; weakness; unusual fatigue; anxiety; sleep disturbance; and indigestion, nausea or vomiting.

Any increase in the rate of heart disease is alarming to the doctors, but it’s the increase in numbers among younger women that is cause for great concern.

“Cardiovascular disease is not an old man’s disease. We’re seeing more problems now in women in their 20s and 30s,” Lee said. Cardiovascular disease is also prevalent among post-menopausal women, he added.

Love makes a difference when dealing with heart disease and prevention, said Simon-Lee.

“If you do not have heart disease now, you can help prevent,” she said. “If you have already been diagnosed with heart disease, you can help keep it from getting worse. Meet with your healthcare provider and make sure you are getting the loving care your heart needs.”

About the doctors:

Dr. Anabela Simon-Lee — A native of Panama City, Panama, Dr. Simon-Lee graduated magna cum laude from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., where she received a Bachelor of Science in biology/chemistry. She went on to receive a Master of Public Health from Tulane University in New Orleans and a medical degree from East Tennessee State University.

Simon-Lee completed her internal medicine and cardiology training while on active duty military service, completing her cardiology fellowship training at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. She completed post-doctoral fellowship training a Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School) in Boston as part of the inaugural training class for the cardiovascular imaging fellowship, 2006-2007. Simon-Lee was the first female to complete the institution’s advanced training in coronary CTA, nuclear cardiology, cardiac MR, and vascular MR. She is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology board-eligible.

Dr. Timothy Lee — A native of Alabama, Dr. Lee received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. He went on to receive a Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health and his medical degree from East Tennessee State University.

Lee also completed a post-doctoral research fellowship with the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School) in Boston, Mass., and interventional cardiology fellowship training at the same facility before beginning his interventional cardiology practice.

While on active duty in the military, Lee completed his Internal Medicine and Cardiology training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He has also completed Endovascular Fellowship training within the Division of Vascular Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Lee is board certified in internal medicine, general cardiology, nuclear cardiology, and interventional cardiology.

— by Sherrel Stewart