Ottawa world-renowned Heart Institute is calling on the community to get involved in an important health awareness campaign. The Jump In for Women Heart Health initiative is raising awareness about the unique ways cardiovascular disease affects women, and why more education and action is urgently needed.
Why Women Heart Health Needs Its Own Conversation
For decades, cardiovascular disease research was conducted predominantly on men, and the classic image of a heart attack reflects that history. But women often experience heart attacks differently: nausea, jaw pain, fatigue, back pain, or a feeling of indigestion that gets dismissed far too easily.
Women are more likely to delay seeking treatment for cardiac symptoms, and are sometimes under-diagnosed or under-treated once they do. The Ottawa Heart Institute campaign aims to change that.
The Ottawa Heart Institute Role
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is one of Canada premier cardiovascular health centres, and its research and clinical care have a reach far beyond the capital. The Jump In for Women Heart Health campaign leverages that reputation to drive community engagement, whether through fundraising events, educational programming, or simply getting the message out that heart disease is the number one killer of women in Canada.
How Ottawans Can Get Involved
Community members can participate through fundraising events, sharing information with friends and family, and making personal pledges around heart-healthy habits like regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and not smoking.
For Ottawa women who want to take a more proactive approach to their own cardiovascular health, the Heart Institute recommends knowing your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, staying active, and having honest conversations with your doctor about your specific risk factors.
Source: thefulcrum.ca via Ottawa Life
