We must act now—What if it were you?

“We must act now. What if it were you?” Fifty women aged 22 to 84 share their stories of the shock of their cardiovascular events in a book published by the Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes Foundation.
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Learning by example draws on the strength of lived experience and the power of personal testimony. As true whistleblowers, these women dared to pass the baton to share their experiences. They wish to share their stories to save other lives, alert women, and encourage them to listen more closely to their bodies. A common thread runs through all their stories: the diagnostic odyssey and the impact on mental health. Fortunately, they survived the ordeal!

“These testimonials help visualize the reality of cardiovascular disease in everyday life. This is a true innovation in prevention,” says Prof. Claire Mounier Véhier, co-founder of Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes. “They didn’t expect it. They thought it was just intense but temporary fatigue, persistent back pain, chest tightness that would pass, a bit of persistent stomach discomfort, unexplained palpitations… Yet they were having a heart attack, were diagnosed with heart disease, or had a congenital malformation… This diversity of testimonials must raise widespread awareness of this medical and societal emergency, one of the leading causes of death among women.”

A finding: chest pain, often associated with other symptoms in women, which can be warning signs

These testimonials confirm the conclusions of studies and the recommendations of cardiology societies. While chest pain remains the primary symptom of a heart attack in women in about 80% of cases, other symptoms may accompany or precede it: chest tightness, shortness of breath on exertion, unusual intense fatigue, nausea and digestive symptoms, palpitations, sharp or fluctuating pain in the upper back, between the shoulder blades, or in the neck. As clearly shown in the testimonials, certain warning signs should prompt you to seek medical attention or call 911 without hesitation.

Let’s break the stereotypes: women are affected at all ages

At age 22, Assia has severe heart failure linked to a faulty aortic valve. At age 48, Ghislaine suffers a spontaneous coronary artery dissection. At age 44, Muriel’s coronary arteries become blocked, leading to a heart attack. Nathalie, 53, develops takotsubo syndrome, or stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Marie, 42, develops myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. Caitline, 23, suffers from heart failure immediately after giving birth. At 62, Brigitte has a heart attack following her breast cancer treatment. Cloé undergoes surgery at 37 for severe mitral valve regurgitation. Nicole, 84, is rushed to the emergency room during a screening to have a pacemaker implanted.

An Underestimated Reality: The Significant Impact of Mental Health

What stands out in these testimonials is the impact of mental health on women’s hearts. An excessive psychological burden in their daily lives plays a major role in triggering cardiovascular events, as well as in their recurrence. People with poor mental health have a 56% increased risk of cardiovascular events*. Stress directly affects the heart and arteries. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of addictions and unhealthy lifestyle habits, leading to an increased cardiovascular risk.

Mental health also plays a major role in recovery following a cardiovascular event or the diagnosis of the condition. 40% of women develop post-traumatic stress disorder or depression following a cardiovascular event*. For most of the women who share their stories, accepting the disease is difficult. A depressive episode makes recovery more complicated, as it often hinders the return to a healthy lifestyle and their reintegration into professional life. However, psychological support has a significant impact on the ability to live normally again, while also helping to prevent recurrence.

A therapeutic testimony: sharing experiences

“Two essential messages of hope emerge from this book: knowing the symptoms can save a life, and life can go on after a cardiovascular event,” concludes Thierry Drilhon, co-founder of Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes. “The women we met spontaneously offered to share their stories. These moving testimonials from women for other women are both therapeutic and supportive. They teach the warning signs, encouraging action rather than passivity, and highlight the urgency of this awareness. They will help save even more lives. Prevention is no longer an option!”

* https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf191
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34752807/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28498599/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40142595/