Improving cardiovascular health and wellness for women
Andrea J. (AJ) Carpenter, MD, PhD

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Associate Professor
View Dr. Carpenter's Bio

 One in three American women will die of heart disease. Including stroke, cardiovascular disease will claim the lives of almost half the women living in South Texas! Even so, fewer than 20% of San Antonio women are concerned about heart disease as a personal health problem.

Dr. A.J. Carpenter is a woman and a heart surgeon personally committed to awareness of heart disease in the women of south Texas.

Dr. Carpenter earned her PhD in Physiology from Penn State. She was on the faculty at Johns Hopkins when she decided to return to school to study medicine. During her third year at George Washington University School of Medicine, she discovered her passion for heart surgery. After completing her general surgery and thoracic surgery training in California, Dr. Carpenter came to San Antonio to practice adult cardiac and thoracic surgery at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. After only one year at Wilford Hall, she was named Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, a post that she held for five more years. In 2003, she joined the faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio as an Associate Professor. She is past president of Women in Thoracic Surgery, and very actively involved in that organization's mentorship program to support the growth of excellence in her chosen profession. She serves on several national professional organization committees and boards. Today she serves as the Medical Director for Cardiothoracic Surgery for the University Health System, provides a full spectrum of adult cardiac surgical care and enjoys the privilege of teaching the next generation of thoracic surgeons.

 With heart disease, women's symptoms are different than men's, and the outcomes of treatment are poorer. It is critical for us to raise our women patient's awareness of the problem and to focus on earlier detection and treatment.

Dr. Carpenter is dedicated to promoting women's awareness of cardiovascular health, addressing risk factors including stress, tobacco use, nutrition, and exercise, and committed to advancing the knowledge of cardiovascular care for women. She and her health professional team have developed a standard of care that recognizes women as unique individuals and tailors treatment strategies to optimize their specific cardiovascular needs.