LetsTalk PPCM

Meet Bianca Jenner:
By looking at the photo above, could you believe she was in full-blown heart failure?

Residing in Australia, at 27 years old, Bianca developed severe chest pain after vomiting. Her heart was beating irregularly before becoming rapid, and she experienced pain traveling down her arm and up her neck. Her husband called an ambulance, concerned that something serious was happening.

When paramedics arrived, she was told she was probably having a panic attack.

At the hospital, the first doctor she saw told her that she was likely sore from “holding her baby” and planned to send her home if her blood tests came back clear. But she knew something was not right.

Her blood work showed elevated markers indicating heart damage. Another doctor took her concerns seriously and ordered additional testing, including a chest X-ray and echocardiogram. During that evaluation, he mentioned a condition she had never heard of before.

Her echocardiogram showed that her heart was struggling, although her ejection fraction (EF) was still just within range. She was initially told it could simply be inflammation and was sent home with a cardiology appointment.

But her pain became worse, and she returned to the hospital the next day.

Despite the previous echocardiogram and blood work showing concerning findings, she was again told that she was fine and was sent home with medication for pain and inflammation.

The following day, she saw the cardiologist. Because of her young age, he was initially skeptical that anything serious was wrong. But when he performed another echocardiogram, he discovered that her EF had dropped significantly since her first hospital visit.

She was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Thankfully, she was eventually diagnosed and placed on medication.

Today, Bianca is still on her road to recovery. She is using her experience to help raise awareness about PPCM and the importance of listening to mothers when they say something doesn't feel right.

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1 to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

Wear Your Support. Help Save Mothers’ Hearts.

Every bracelet is more than an accessory. It is an opportunity to start a conversation about Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare and potentially life-threatening form of heart failure that can develop during pregnancy or after childbirth.

When you wear a PPCM Awareness Bracelet, you are helping:

• Raise awareness of PPCM and its warning signs
• Honor mothers whose lives were lost to PPCM
• Stand with survivors and families affected by PPCM
• Encourage conversations that may help a mother recognize when something isn’t right and seek medical attention

Maternal heart health matters, during pregnancy, after delivery, and throughout motherhood.

Whether you are a survivor, heart sister, healthcare professional, loved one, or simply someone who believes mothers’ hearts deserve more attention, your support makes a difference.

Get your PPCM Awareness Bracelet from: HeartMomPPCM.com

For the mothers we lost.
For the mothers who survived.
For the mothers we still have time to save.

And honestly, if we’re going to wear jewelry, it might as well start an important conversation.

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org to learn how you can stand with us in protecting moms and their hearts.

Meet Jessica Grib:
By looking at the photo above, could you believe she was in full-blown heart failure?

Around her 33rd week of pregnancy, Jessica’s blood pressure became higher than normal. She was placed on bed rest and prescribed medication, but her condition continued to worsen. Four weeks later, she was scheduled for an induction. During labor, she experienced some difficulty breathing, but like many mothers, she assumed it was simply part of childbirth.

Then, moments after giving birth to her baby girl, everything changed. She became extremely weak and coded. Physicians immediately began CPR, which lasted approximately 10 minutes. She was placed on two forms of advanced life support, ECMO and an Impella heart pump, while doctors worked to save her life.

Her heart’s ejection fraction (EF) was only 5%. A typical healthy EF is generally around 55–70%. She spent weeks in the hospital, separated from her newborn and family while fighting to recover. As her condition improved, she underwent rehabilitation and had to relearn how to walk.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of heart failure that can develop toward the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery.

Today, Jessica is now considered fully recovered. She continues to use her story to raise awareness about PPCM and encourage other women and families to recognize that heart failure can happen during pregnancy or after childbirth, even when someone appears young and healthy.

She believes that early BNP blood testing and echocardiograms when symptoms first appear could help identify heart problems sooner and potentially save mothers' lives.

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1 to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of heart muscle weakness that can develop during pregnancy or after delivery.

Women's Health IS Cardiovascular Health.

A recent CNN report highlighted a major issue in women's healthcare: 51% of women surveyed reported experiencing at least one negative healthcare experience, while 34% said a provider had minimized or dismissed their symptoms or pain. Gallup.com

For women experiencing cardiovascular symptoms, the stakes can be especially high.

PPCM can cause severe heart dysfunction and can be associated with serious complications, including blood clots, stroke and heart failure. Research has also identified an association between PPCM and myocardial infarction (heart attack). NHLBI, NIH +2

That's why we believe the conversation shouldn't stop at “Are women being heard?”

How do we bridge the gap between women's experiences and the care they receive?

We are committed to helping bridge the gap between mothers, families, communities and healthcare professionals, so that more women have access to information that can help them recognize potential warning signs and seek appropriate care.

There's much more work to do.
Because women's health isn't just reproductive health.

We're continuing to build, learn, collaborate and create meaningful ways to support maternal cardiovascular health.

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org to learn how you can stand with us in protecting moms and their hearts.

We're proud to introduce Brooke Pizzano-Diamond as our Washington D.C. Heart Walk Team Lead for the November 7th, 2026 AHA Heart Walk for cardiovascular research! ❤️

Brooke joins our mission with a passion for advocacy, awareness, and honoring the mothers and families impacted by Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Her leadership will help expand maternal heart health awareness and community outreach efforts throughout Washington D.C.

We are currently seeking 10 walking participants located in or near Washington D.C. to join Brooke's team for this impactful awareness event.

We welcome:
• PPCM survivors
• Family members and supporters
• Birth workers and advocates
• Community members passionate about maternal health

Together, we will walk to raise awareness, support families, and help ensure more mothers are heard, diagnosed, and supported.

📩 To Register or Support:
https://letstalkppcm.org/heart-sisters-%7C-aha

Meet Sylvie Britton:
By looking at the photo above, could you believe she was in full-blown heart failure?

Residing in California, Sylvie welcomed her baby boy in February 2026. She was already a mother to two daughters, ages 4 and 5. After a previous pregnancy where she was told she did not have preeclampsia, despite it being documented in her chart, she was advised to take baby aspirin during her most recent pregnancy.

She had a C-section and initially felt fine.

Then her feet became severely swollen. Days later, she developed a persistent cough, crackling while breathing, could not lie flat, and felt as though someone was sitting on her chest. One week later, at 2 a.m., she tried to drive to the hospital but became so short of breath that she had to stop and go to the nearest ER. A chest X-ray showed fluid in her lungs and around her heart. She was given Lasix and transferred by ambulance to another hospital.

There, she discovered she could not breathe without oxygen. She spent a week and a half hospitalized, including her birthday, separated from her newborn, husband, and daughters. She was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of heart failure that can develop during pregnancy or after childbirth and can have life-threatening consequences if not recognized and treated.

Her ejection fraction decreased from 50–55% to 45–50%, and she was started on heart medications.

But her journey didn't end there. She continues to experience chest pain, frequent ER visits, and severe anxiety after everything she experienced. On the day she was discharged, her newborn son was hospitalized with RSV. She immediately went to his side and remained with him throughout his week-long hospitalization in the NICU.

Today, Sylvie is still on her road to recovery. She believes that early BNP blood testing and echocardiograms when symptoms first appear could help identify heart problems sooner and potentially save mothers' lives.

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1 to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

To our PPCM heart sisters, please report to this post.
For those whose heart function has recovered, how many years did it take after your PPCM diagnosis?

PREGNANCY HEART FAILURE EDUCATION MATTERS..

On World Heart Day, we’re shining a light on a heart condition every birth worker and healthcare professional should know: Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM).

PPCM can be difficult to recognize, but early awareness can lead to earlier action, and earlier action can save lives. We’re honored to have our PPCM Presentation organized by AWHONN Oklahoma in recognition of World Heart Day!

This educational presentation brings greater awareness to Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and the importance of recognizing maternal cardiac warning signs before, during, and after pregnancy.

Registration is officially CLOSED for this event.
But the learning doesn’t stop here!

Want to learn more about our Maternal Cardiac Health Workshops, educational programs, and available CE opportunities for healthcare professionals and birth workers?

OF COURSE YOU DO...😅

Visit us at https://letstalkppcm.org or email [email protected] to connect.

And while you’re supporting maternal heart health, grab a Heart Mom Bracelet and wear your support for the moms and families impacted by pregnancy heart failure. HeartMomPPCM.Com

Know the signs.
Start the conversation.
Protect maternal hearts.

WHY DOES POSTPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY (PPCM) LOOK DIFFERENT IN EVERY WOMAN? 💔

Because PPCM isn't a one-size-fits-all condition.

Every pregnancy, every heart, and every body responds differently. Differences in genetics, risk factors, pregnancy complications, timing, degree of heart dysfunction, and individual biology can all influence how PPCM develops and how it presents.

One woman may experience significant shortness of breath. Another may notice swelling, unusual fatigue, palpitations, difficulty lying flat, or simply feel that something is not right.

Some women may become sick during pregnancy. Others may develop symptoms after giving birth.

And that's why we can't look for just one “typical” PPCM story.

We have to listen.
We have to ask questions.
We have to recognize changes from a person's normal.

Most importantly, we have to believe women when they tell us something doesn't feel right. It could be her heart.

PPCM may look different from woman to woman, but every woman's heart deserves to be cared for.

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org to learn how you can stand with us in protecting moms and their hearts.

Congratulations to our Heart Sister, Heather, on reaching her fundraising milestone through our new Birthday Fundraising Program!! 🏆🎉🎁

We're honored to present her with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her generosity, dedication, and commitment to our mission.

Heather's own journey with PPCM is one of remarkable resilience. Through faith, perseverance, and the care of her medical team, she continued moving forward, becoming an inspiration to so many Heart Sisters along the way.

Because of supporters like her, we're able to provide PPCM education, awareness materials, and free resources to mothers, families, patients, and healthcare professionals.

Thank you to every supporter who contributed. 💗

Every fundraiser, every shared story, every donation, and every act of kindness helps us reach another mother who may be searching for answers, hope, or simply someone who understands.

If you've ever thought about celebrating a birthday, milestone, or special occasion by giving back, we'd love to have you join our fundraising program in the future.

Learn more: https://letstalkppcm.org/fundraising