Heart Attack and Coronary Dissection in Women

About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular physicians bring together expert cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular surgeons who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care in Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Clayton, N.C. For decades, these physicians have chosen to bring their talent and expertise to WakeMed for its reputation for excellence in cardiovascular care and commitment to providing the most exceptional patient experience.

About Frances Wood, MD, FACC

A board-certified interventional and structural cardiologist, Dr. Wood specializes in complex coronary interventions and valvular disease.

In additional to interventional training, she spent a focused year on structural cardiovascular services and brings expertise in advanced imaging and procedures such as: valve replacement (TAVR), mitral valve repair (MitraClip), atrial septal defect/patent foramen ovale closure, alcohol septal ablation, left atrial appendage occlusion, percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty and paravalvular leak closure.

Originally from Goldsboro, N.C., Dr. Wood trained at WakeMed as a clinical trials coordinator, even before going to medical school.

Making a Difference in Cardiovascular Care

Joining the team at WakeMed Heart & Vascular Physicians, she said, was a lot like coming back home. Plus, she was excited for the opportunity to help expand WakeMed’s structural cardiology program and work for an organization that is so dedicated to patient care.

Recently, Dr. Wood played a critical role in helping WakeMed become one of the first hospitals in the U.S. to treat heart attack patients with Supersaturated Oxygen (SSO2) Therapy, a type of breakthrough treatment that reduces damage to the heart muscle after a STEMI or heart attack.

Dedication to Patient Care

“Here at WakeMed, the patient always comes first, and everyone is treated like family,” explained Dr. Wood. “We do whatever we can do to make the patient comfortable and to provide the best care we possibly can.”

Dr. Wood makes it a priority to develop meaningful relationships with each of her patients, taking the time to answer their questions and determine their history and treatment goals. She and her cardiology colleagues are always collaborating and learning from one another in an effort to enhance patient care.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Wood enjoys playing golf with her fiancé. She also likes to cook, travel (especially to the beach!) and exercise.