Women’s Heart Health News

Women@Heart Program

12 bi-weekly sessions with other women with heart conditions

CardioPrevent

for people with risk factors to lower their chances of developing cardiovascular disease

IMPROVE postpartum program

for women who have experienced certain pregnancy-related conditions to lower their chances of developing cardiovascular disease


The Ontario Caregiver Organization offers a 24/7 information and support helpline as well as a website to support Ontario’s 3.3 million caregivers

Survey: Women’s Cardiovascular Health and Cardiac Rehabilitation Priority Setting Partnership

We want to hear from people with personal or professional experiences regarding women’s cardiovascular health conditions and cardiac rehabilitation.  We wish to identify 10 research priorities for cardiac rehabilitation in women’s cardiovascular health. To do this, we are conducting a Priority Setting Partnership, using methods developed by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) – a non-profit initiative based in the United Kingdom.  You do not need to…

Posted on January 22, 2024

Get Ready for Wear Red Canada, which starts February 13, 2024!

              Heart disease is the number one killer of women worldwide and the leading cause of premature death in women in Canada. Globally, cardiovascular diseases affect 1 out of 3 women, yet women everywhere are under-studied, under-diagnosed, under-treated, and under-aware. It doesn’t have to be this way. JOIN US! We are welcoming anyone and everyone who would like…

Posted on November 29, 2023

A message from The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre National Alliance

Heart attack symptoms are not recognized in over 50% of women. Women are more likely to present with 3 or more symptoms in addition to chest pain. If you think someone is having a heart attack, seek immediate medical attention.  SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK MOST OFTEN REPORTED BY WOMEN Chest pain or discomfort (ex. pressure, tightness, or burning) Pain in the jaw, neck, arm, or…

Posted on March 21, 2023

Get Ready for Wear Red Canada – February 13th!

Wear Red Canada is celebrated annually across Canada on February 13th to raise awareness about women’s heart health. Events are held online and across the country to serve as a reminder for everyone in Canada, especially women, to be mindful, curious, and proactive in the management of their heart health and wellness. Did you know? Heart disease is on the rise and is the leading cause of…

Posted on January 26, 2022

JUMP IN™ – Thank you for $155,000!

In September, the Heart Institute Foundation, along with a team of dedicated volunteers, brought us JUMP IN™ – a new virtual event supporting women’s heart health. The challenge was to complete 30 minutes of physical activity for 30 days. Over 2,000 participants across Canada completed more than 1.8 million minutes of activity! $155,000 was raised to support the Ottawa Heart Institute and the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre.

Posted on November 10, 2020

Meet the Expert: A Woman’s Heart – The Truth About Women’s Heart Disease

On February 25, 2020, the Patient Alumni Association held another successful Meet the Expert event. The event featured experts and patients who shared their knowledge and experience of women’s heart disease and support for women with heart disease. Read more to view the event online or access recommended resources.

Posted on March 11, 2020

Women@Heart Inpatient Peer Support Program

After being diagnosed with heart disease, being able to talk to another woman ‘who has been there’ can make an important difference in a female patient’s emotional recovery. The Women@Heart Inpatient Support Program was developed to meet this need.

Posted on January 3, 2020

Women’s Heart Health Community Advocate e-Course and Toolkit

The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute is pleased to announce the launch of the Women’s Heart Health Community Advocate e-Course and Toolkit which is sponsored by the Patient Alumni.

Posted on July 30, 2019

Coutinho: The Future (of Women’s Heart Health) is Now

A White Paper published in the American Heart Association’s Journal, Circulation, is proposing a number of novel strategies for the improved future of heart health centres serving women. Dr. Thais Coutinho, Chief of the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), and Chair of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre (CWHHC), says most of the strategies deemed essential in the…

Posted on October 22, 2018

Mars and Venus in Heart Failure Outcomes: Why Women Are More At Risk Than Men

There are several inherent differences to the physical make up of a woman’s heart versus that of a man. For starters, a man’s heart is physically larger, weighing up to 60 grams more than a woman’s heart on average.  Functionally there are differences, too. Arteries which feed a women’s heart with rich, oxygenated blood typically have smaller openings than men, causing women to be…

Posted on September 21, 2018

Women@Heart Program

In 2013 The University of Ottawa Heart Institute launched the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre (CWHHC) because some startling metrics began to emerge with respect to women’s heart health. For example, 70% of what we know about heart disease is as a result of research conducted with men. Women were, and still are, under-represented in clinical trials, as they represented less than 30% of…

Posted on May 30, 2018

Women@Heart Program

12 bi-weekly sessions with other women with heart conditions

CardioPrevent

for people with risk factors to lower their chances of developing cardiovascular disease

IMPROVE postpartum program

for women who have experienced certain pregnancy-related conditions to lower their chances of developing cardiovascular disease


The Ontario Caregiver Organization offers a 24/7 information and support helpline as well as a website to support Ontario’s 3.3 million caregivers