The organization is sounding the alarm about slow progress in considering women’s bodies when it comes time to do research or check for heart problems.
She also wants to educate women and healthcare professionals about the potential dangers of heart and brain disease in women.
According to the foundation, also known as Heart & Stroke, in 2019 a woman died from such problems every 16 minutes in the country. In fact, they are the leading causes of premature death among women in the country.
A heart problem or an anxiety attack?
Elizabeth Jolicoeur wants to make women aware of the heart problems that can affect them.
Photo: Radio Canada
Elizabeth Jolicoeur, a professional and mother of three from Lévis, had quite a scare a few years ago. She suffered episodes of tachycardia every few weeks for no apparent reason.
The first time she drove her car with her husband and daughter on board. She was convinced that she would die.
“I’m sitting in my car and my heart is racing for absolutely nothing. And at the same time I had a feeling of suffocation. It was tight in my throat. I really had trouble breathing. »
— A quote from Elizabeth Jolicoeur
She contacted the emergency services and drove to the hospital. The first doctors she saw concluded that she was having anxiety attacks. A scenario that repeated itself shortly afterwards.
“I found it easy to say that you are an active woman in the modern world, it is certain that you are stressed. Life is scary, so you are scared. This triggers palpitations. »
— A quote from Elizabeth Jolicoeur
The third episode of tachycardia occurred after training in the gym.
It was the link between tachycardia and physical exertion that prompted the doctor to conduct further tests. Elizabeth was then sent to cardiology despite not having any risk factors.
The heart ultrasound showed the presence of a cardiac myxoma, a tumor that could have killed her. I would surely die if it hadn’t been diagnosed.
Since then, Elizabeth Jolicoeur has encouraged women to name their symptoms and fight to have them addressed.
“Try to express how you feel as best you can. defend it Tell him that you don’t think what you perceive as symptoms is normal. And it’s not just about fear. We live in a world where fear is very present, but that doesn’t explain everything. »
— A quote from Elizabeth Jolicoeur
various symptoms
Experts recognize that the symptoms associated with heart and brain disease are not always the same in men and women.
Women with chest pain and numbness in their left arm are not necessarily experiencing a heart attack. According to cardiologist Marie-Kristelle Ross of the Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, there can be a feeling of indigestion, nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness.
dr Marie-Kristelle Ross is a cardiologist at Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis and spokesperson for Heart & Stroke.
Photo: Radio Canada
A situation that can create confusion, which can delay the time women consult and delay diagnosis by healthcare professionals.
“For a variety of reasons, women go to counseling much later. They will present in much more advanced stages and have more complications. »
— A quote from Dr. Marie-Kristelle Ross, cardiologist at Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis and spokesperson for Heart & Stroke
dr Christine Pacheco is a cardiologist at Hôpital Pierre-Boucher. She is an associate member of CHUM and spokesperson for Heart & Stroke
Photo: Radio Canada
dr Pacheco co-founded Quebec’s first integrated cardiovascular health center for women that specifically addresses these issues.
For example, certain types of heart attacks are more common in women than in men.
“One type of heart attack that occurs in 90% of women is spontaneous coronary artery dissection. It’s not a classic cholesterol plug clogging the artery. The artery ruptures spontaneously. »
— A quote from Dr. Christine Pacheco, cardiologist at Hôpital Pierre-Boucher and associate member of CHUM
This causes the heart attack, often in women who have not previously had any health problems, she explains. Both the public and healthcare professionals need more education to be aware of these differences.
Certain cardiac episodes are more likely to be triggered during times of hormonal changes, such as B. during pregnancy or menopause.
Experts are calling for more research to address these realities. They also believe these times of great change are crucial times to identify risk factors and ensure patient follow-up in the years to come.