Bridging the Care Gap
Education.
Knowledge is your strongest diagnostic tool. Heart disease symptoms like shortness of breath or unusual fatigue are more prominent in women. By educating yourself on these subtle indicators and the common myths surrounding heart health, you can bridge the gap between feeling "off" and getting an accurate diagnosis.
Advocacy.
You are the expert on your own body, and your voice has power. While research shows that women's symptoms have historically been misunderstood, the narrative is shifting: by tracking your unique "new normal" and using patient-led tools, you can actively lead your healthcare team toward better outcomes.
Community.
A 'Heart Warrior' spirit is built through connection. Recovery is a holistic journey that includes your emotional and social health; engaging with community support and open communication is a proven way to reduce the anxiety that often follows a heart event.
E-Magazine — Curated Stories of Life in Hearts
ISSUE 13 — March/April 2026
The latest issue of the Life in Hearts e-magazine is now available, offering a jam-packed collection of resources and stories dedicated to the women's heart health community. This issue highlights the power of collaboration and community, featuring contributions from inspiring individuals who share a commitment to supporting and encouraging those on their heart health journeys.
Read the MagazineHow We Started
My name is Jackie Ratz and I have been living with Heart Failure since 2017. I was motivated to start a Facebook group after I recognized I needed support and was unable to find adequate Canadian supports either in person or on-line.
The Canadian Women with Medical Heart Issues Facebook (FB) Support Community was started in 2017 to meet the need for casual support for myself and other women who were diagnosed with Cardiovascular Disease (heart disease). We now have 1800+ members across Canada.
Our FB community, the Life In Hearts website and For Her Heart Events are partnered and supported by the HeartLife Foundation. As the lead for HeartLife Women, I hope you find the work we do inspiring and supportive. Our motto, and we hope you join us, is to Live Bravely and Love Boldly every day.
Join Us & Subscribe
Have your voice heard. If you are a patient, family member or friend of someone with lived experience of heart disease or if you are a practitioner, allied health professional, not-for-profit or corporate partner, or simply a concerned citizen – Become a member – it's free.
LIFE IN HEARTS
Origins of HeartLife Women, Together with LifeinHearts.ca and HeartLife.com, we are transforming cardiovascular care for women across Canada through patient-led education, a relentless focus on quality of life and community based supports.