LetsTalk PPCM

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

After a pregnancy following loss, Brooke began experiencing severe swelling, rapid weight fluctuations, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath that became so severe she could no longer lie flat. Despite these alarming symptoms, they were initially believed to be normal pregnancy-related changes, and testing for preeclampsia was negative.

In June of 2024, she welcomed her baby boy into the world. After spending a week in the hospital, she was discharged home. Just 18 hours later, she was rushed back in critical condition.

An echocardiogram revealed the cause: Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can strike during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum, often with life-threatening consequences if left undetected.

At her sickest, her heart function was estimated to be below 10%, with her first echocardiogram showing an ejection fraction of just 15%. Through treatment, determination, and ongoing medical care, her heart function has improved to 45–50%.

Today, Brooke is still on the road to recovery. She believes that early BNP testing and echocardiograms at the first signs of symptoms could help prevent stories like hers and potentially save mothers’ lives.

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

We are excited to share that Brianna Harris-Henderson, Founder of Let’sTalkPPCM, is a Co-Author on an abstract submitted to the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2026.

The abstract, titled "Patient-Reported Drivers of Diagnostic Delay in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy," explores patient experiences surrounding delayed diagnosis in PPCM and highlights opportunities to improve awareness, early recognition, and maternal heart care.

This research is part of our ongoing efforts through the PPCM Registry and would not be possible without the collaboration of an incredible team of dedicated cardiologists and researchers who are helping advance our understanding of PPCM and improve outcomes for families affected by this condition.

This milestone reflects Let’sTalkPPCM's continued commitment to elevating survivor voices and contributing to meaningful research that advances education, awareness, early detection, and patient-centered care in PPCM.

We are honored to be part of this important work and look forward to sharing updates as they become available.

Shout out to our heart sisters who have shared their story and contributed to research efforts thus far. Your experiences are helping drive change. ❤️‍🩹

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

As awareness of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) grows, many survivors have questions about family-building options, including IVF and gestational surrogacy.

One concern that has occasionally been raised is whether a PPCM survivor's eggs or embryo could increase the risk of PPCM in a gestational surrogate.

In 2005, Dr. James Fett published a rare case report describing PPCM in both a biological mother and her gestational surrogate, prompting early questions about potential shared risk factors in pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy.

Since then, research has increasingly pointed toward genetic, hormonal, vascular, and immune-related factors as contributors to PPCM.

Current evidence suggests that approximately 10–20% of women with PPCM who undergo genetic testing may carry a pathogenic cardiomyopathy-associated genetic variant.

Genetic counseling may be appropriate when considering IVF or surrogacy in families.

Overall, the evidence supports genetic predisposition rather than disease transmission as the relevant consideration in reproductive counseling.

Let'sTalkPPCM partners with and to provide access to genetic education and testing resources.

Get Free Genetic Testing: https://geneticcardiomyopathy.org/testing/get-tested

Support

From all of us at Let’s Talk PPCM, we join in honoring the life and legacy of Jasmine Sanchez, a fellow heart sister whose journey deeply impacted our community.

Jasmine spent years courageously navigating advanced heart failure while continuing to show up for her children and hold onto hope for a future rooted in healing. After an eight-year wait, she received the incredible gift of a heart and liver transplant.

Even after this life-changing moment, she faced serious complications following surgery and sadly did not make it back home. In addition to heart failure, she also battled leukemia, facing each challenge with faith, determination, and strength that inspired everyone around her.

We hold Jasmine’s children, family, and loved ones close in our hearts during this incredibly difficult time. The grief of this loss is felt across the PPCM community, where her story continues to remind us of both the fragility of life and the importance of early detection, awareness, and support.

Please join us in lifting her family in prayer and surrounding her children with love and support. 🕊️

If you would like to support Jasmine’s children and family during this time, a fundraiser has been created to assist with funeral expenses and ongoing care:

Link: https://gofund.me/4451e3e47?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Jasmine bravely shared her story with us in 2019, visit the link to read more.

Story: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HE1hFUx9D/

Cardiovascular conditions account for approximately 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths in the United States, and in Georgia, nearly 50% of pregnancy-related deaths are linked to heart-related conditions.

Let’s Talk PPCM is honored to partner with Prestige Collection Services in Atlanta, Georgia, to expand maternal heart health awareness and strengthen postpartum support for families in our communities.

Many pregnancy-related complications, including Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), can develop silently during pregnancy or after delivery, making awareness, education, and early detection critical.

Through this collaboration, Adraia Virgilio, LPN, will help connect mothers with compassionate nursing support, resources, and guidance throughout the postpartum journey.

Our mission is simple: protect mothers through awareness, education, and early detection. Because every mother deserves to be heard, supported, and protected. ❤️‍🩹

💻 Learn more about PPCM screening and available resources: https://letstalkppcm.org/ppcm-screening

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

In August 2010, at just 29 years old and raising her 14-month-old daughter, Jasmine, Janelle began experiencing symptoms that would ultimately change her life. What started as sudden shortness of breath while cooking quickly progressed into an inability to sleep lying flat, overwhelming fatigue, and a persistent cough accompanied by crackling sounds in her lungs.

As a nursing student preparing for clinicals, she knew something wasn't right. Yet despite multiple doctor visits, her symptoms were repeatedly misdiagnosed. She was told she had GERD-induced asthma and later atypical pneumonia. Even after an EKG revealed abnormalities, the warning signs were overlooked.

Her condition continued to deteriorate. Exhausted, frightened, and struggling to breathe, she found herself losing hope. Everything changed when a nurse practitioner took the time to listen. Recognizing that she was critically ill, the provider immediately referred her for a cardiac evaluation. That decision saved her life.

After spending a week in the ICU and another week hospitalized, she finally received answers. Her ejection fraction was only 15%, and she was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can strike during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum, often with life-threatening consequences if left undetected.

Through a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and holistic support, she gradually improved her heart function into the low-normal range and enjoyed many years of stability. Later, another pregnancy, the challenges of ongoing life stressors impacted her heart function again, but her determination never wavered.

Today, Janelle is still on the road to recovery. She believes that early BNP testing and echocardiograms at the first signs of symptoms could help prevent stories like hers and potentially save mothers’ lives.

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

Could it be more than "normal postpartum symptoms?

If you've recently had a baby and are experiencing severe shortness of breath, swelling, extreme fatigue, or a rapid heartbeat, don't ignore your symptoms.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an often misdiagnosed form of heart failure that can occur during pregnancy or within the months following delivery.

Too often, women are told their symptoms are simply part of recovery after childbirth. Sometimes they are. But sometimes they are signs that the heart needs immediate attention.

📊 PPCM affects approximately 1 in every 1,000–2,000 births and is now a leading cause of maternal mortality.

🩸 BNP and NT-proBNP blood tests can help healthcare providers identify cardiac stress and heart failure when PPCM is suspected.

The good news?
Recovery is possible. Many women experience significant improvement or recovery of heart function when PPCM is recognized and treated early.

We are committed to educating families, healthcare professionals, and communities about the warning signs of PPCM through survivor-led advocacy, workshops, trainings, and awareness campaigns.

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

What I Wish I Knew As A New Mom…❤️‍🩹

Lisa Schwartz, an incredible author, actress, media personality, and patient advocate, joined Let'sTalkPPCM in 2024 with a passion for helping mothers feel seen, heard, and educated. Many may also recognize her from recent appearances on , and other amazing projects throughout her career.

During PPCM Awareness Week, Lisa shared her powerful story as a PPCM survivor and opened up about the signs she wishes she had known earlier after giving birth.

She spoke honestly about how easy it can be for new mothers to dismiss symptoms like extreme exhaustion, shortness of breath, swelling, chest discomfort, or a rapid heartbeat as “just part of motherhood” when sometimes it may be something much more serious.

Her message touched hearts across the room:
“Mothers deserve to be heard, taken seriously, and informed.”

Attendees were deeply moved by her courage, vulnerability, and passion for helping other women recognize the warning signs of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) sooner.

Thank you, heart sister Lisa, for turning your pain into purpose and helping us continue spreading awareness, education, and hope to families everywhere. 💐

Learn More: https://letstalkppcm.org/lisa-schwartz