Angela Maas is a cardiologist since 1988 and has developed a main interest in heart disease and its prevention in women over the past 20 years. In 2003 she started with outpatient cardiology practices for women.  She has initiated several multicenter collaborative projects with other disciplines to improve healthy ageing in women. She is an important partner within the FP7-funded EUGenMed program, to develop a roadmap for the implementation of sex and gender (S&G) in biomedical sciences and health research.

Gender differences are present throughout all aspects of cardiovascular disease. The biological differences between men and women have an important impact in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis and the ageing heart. One of Professor Maas' major research areas is related to female-specific risk factors (preeclampsia, early menopause) and coronary artery disease and the impact of gender differences in traditional CV risk factors. Another important field of interest  is microvascular coronary disease (MCD), that accounts for more than 50% of undetermined chest pain symptoms in middle-aged women. The group is currently establishing a tertiary diagnostic and research center for MCD and has taken the initiative for a EU collaborative consortium on MCD. In fall 2014 a ZonMw funded project on ethical and juridical aspects of medication research among minority groups will start in cooperation with the dpt of epidemiology & health technology. Further, as women survive longer after (repeated) treatment for breast cancer, the long -term cardiotoxic effects of previous treatment are becoming increasingly important in clinical practice. Prospective multidisciplinary research projects are being developed for earlier recognition of cardiotoxicity.

Education

• 1968-1974 Secondary school (Stedelijk Gymnasium, Utrecht)

• 1974-1981 University (Medicine, University of Groningen)

• 1983-1985 Specialization (Internal Medicine, St. Antonius hospital, Nieuwegein)

• 1985-1987 Specialization Cardiology (St. Antonius hospital, Nieuwegein)

• 2006 PhD (University of Utrecht)

Personal prizes & awards

• 2014: received the Hermesdorf award of the Radboud University Nijmegen

• 2011, 2012 & 2013: listed in the top 10 of most powerful women in Dutch healthcare (Opzij) and she is co-founder of the gender-working group of the Dutch society of cardiology

• 2010: she received awards from the Dutch society of female physicians and Libelle magazine