February is heart month. There are still far too many inequalities between men and women in 2023, these gaps are still felt in several areas, including that of women’s heart and brain health.
I know this because I have been very interested in this subject for more than 10 years. Since my cardiologist, the DD Lena Rivard, told me that I had to undergo heart surgery by catheter for extrasystoles, a form of arrhythmia.
I had lived with this condition since adolescence, but it intensified after my second pregnancy. Hormonal changes were probably there for something, but each time I consulted, my comments were minimized and given little importance. I related my symptoms, asked questions, in vain. I felt like I was wasting time: “It’s nothing. “We don’t know too much about extrasystoles, it’s very common and rather feminine. “It’s not really serious”, etc.
Maybe not serious, but I still came out with beta-blockers, which is not trivial!
Sporty, I had trouble doing cardio without being out of breath, even exhausted. I couldn’t sleep and just listened to the irregular beating of my heart through my mattress. An anxiety-provoking spiral in which I felt quite alone… My quality of life as a young mother was considerably affected.
That’s when I decided to take my health into my own hands and be proactive! My motivation was such that I could face this obstacle course that is access to our health system.
My heroine
My extensive research put me on the track of the DD Rivard at the Montreal Heart Institute, and catheter ablation, the operation I eventually had. At the time, this doctor was the only one to perform this type of intervention in Quebec. Barely 15 minutes in his office, and I learned that indeed, extrasystoles were a fairly common form of arrhythmia, but that I had so many of them, so irregularly, that it was impossible for me to live normally. …
I was finally understood and heard. Like what, you should never underestimate his little inner voice… It was worth fighting for and defending my health. I was then offered a concrete solution and, in my case, it was a success. After a six-hour operation, I cried with joy when, for the first time, I saw my heart beating regularly on the screen. I am always moved when I meet my cardiologist at an event or a routine appointment. Forever, she will be my heroine…
In the months following this milestone event, the people at Heart & Stroke contacted me to find out about my interest in their cause. They were unaware of my situation and since I absolutely do not believe in chance, I saw this call as a sign that I had to get involved! And since then, it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I have become an ambassador! All causes are noble, but this one is particularly close to my heart.
I had the opportunity to host many evenings and fundraisers. One of the events that stood out to me the most was the panel of health experts I chaired as part of a campaign to fund research specifically focused on women’s heart and brain health. This is where I realized the inequity that exists between men and women, especially because two thirds of research and clinical studies were previously done on male models.
Women are not short men, our hearts and brains are different, research must take this into account. Women have other hormonal factors that put them at greater risk, such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Even the manifestations and symptoms can vary between men and women. For example, heart attacks in men are often more obvious and less sneaky than in women. I will always remember the testimony of a survivor who said that while preparing her supper, she had felt extremely unwell and tired, but caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks, routine, her mental burden and children, she had gone on with her day. However, she had had a heart attack.
This failure of the system and these inequalities towards women translate into shortcomings, both in terms of awareness, diagnosis, medication, treatment and care received in a timely manner. Statistics still show that 45% more women than men die from heart health problems. It is also the main cause of premature death among women in the country. Progress has been made, but much remains to be done to ensure that all women receive the care they need. It is time to correct this injustice!