The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. Each episode is designed to empower women to take control of their well-being and become the CEO of their own health.

In this episode, Dr. Alvarez speaks with Sophia Dexel, a woman in her mid-40s who battled years of misdiagnosis, frustration, and dismissal by multiple providers. Despite repeated ER visits, worsening chest pain, and unstable blood pressure, Sophia was told time and again that “everything looked normal.” The constant dismissal left her doubting herself—until she finally found answers.

With persistence, the support of her husband, and the right cardiologist, Sophia discovered she had microvascular disease (ANOCA—angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries). Once properly diagnosed, her treatment changed her life—lifting the fatigue, chest pain, and hopelessness she had been enduring.

This episode highlights the dangers of medical gaslighting, the importance of listening to your body, and why women—especially women of color and those in perimenopause—must continue to advocate for themselves. Sophia’s story is a powerful reminder that heart disease doesn’t discriminate by age and that the right provider can change everything.

Most importantly, it encourages every woman to step up as the CEO of her own health—to challenge assumptions, seek answers, and never settle when something doesn’t feel right.