Heartwarming Charity – Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre

In Canada, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women over the age of 55, killing over 31,000 women annually. Most Canadian women have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke and it is important for women to know their risk factors to effectively prevent and manage them. Women have some unique risks that increase the chances of heart disease, such as menopause, birth control pills, pregnancy, cholesterol, and triglycerides. These risk factors increase greatly during menopause because of how estrogen levels can change in the body.

About this Charity:

The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre (CWHHC) is dedicated to ensuring that women are informed, diagnosed, and cared for when it comes to heart health and disease diagnosis. As a subsidiary of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the CWHHC creates programs that will improve the care of women, raise awareness for heart disease in women, and improve knowledge and understanding by researching heart disease in women.

How to Get Involved: 

There are many simple ways to support the centre on both individual and community levels:

• Wear Red Canada: Celebrated on February 13th, Wear Red Canada day encourages Canadians to wear red to raise awareness for women’s heart health. 
• Start the Conversation: Talk about heart disease with the women in your life and know the signs and symptoms to prevent and promote heart healthy living. 
• Share your story: Share your story about how you live with heart disease to help other women. Or, read other stories from inspiring women to learn other ways to better live with your heart disease. 
• Become a Community Advocate: Become an advocate in your community and inform women about heart disease and how they can prevent, minimize, and manage risks.   
• Donate: Donate to help improve care and quality of life for women in Canada. Your donation can support the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre, the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance, or the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit.

Why this Charity is Heartwarming:  

The CWHHC is heartwarming because, in addition to the many programs they offer, they have also created the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance and the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit. Their dedication to women’s heart health has created a national network of experts and advocates in the alliance and a worldwide summit aimed at health care professionals looking for new information and knowledge on women’s heart health. They are committed to educating as many women as possible and continuing research on heart health so more women know how to better take care of themselves and their loved ones.