Jennifer
10 years since diagnosis
Age at interview: 53
Jennifer lives in British Columbia with her husband and two children. When Jennifer was 43 years old, she suddenly suffered a stroke and was rushed to hospital. During her time in hospital Jennifer was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. For the next few years Jennifer didn’t think a lot about her heart condition as she focused her energy on recovering from her stroke. Jennifer considers herself lucky as her stroke alerted her to her heart disease. Jennifer is now a strong advocate for the patient’s voice and encourages people to get involved in volunteering for heart related charities, which has given her a sense of meaning. Jennifer says that more research needs on women with heart disease is needed and that awareness is created so people know that heart disease affects all ages.
More content
- Access – JenniferJennifer had to travel long distances for tests and follow-up until services became available closer to home.
- Self-care – Maintaining Your Own Well-being – JenniferJennifer describes the benefits of volunteering and advocating for other women with heart disease.
- Mental Health & Emotional Support – JenniferJennifer's children did not want to be away from her, in case something happened.
- Finding Information & Cardiac Rehab – JenniferJennifer talks about how rehab could be improved for younger women.
- Finding Information & Cardiac Rehab – JenniferJennifer needs more information about why.
- Reflections on Identity, Life and Death – JenniferJennifer found volunteering gave her a new sense of purpose.
- Reflections on Identity, Life and Death – JenniferJennifer's life perspective changed following a stroke and heart failure.
- Diagnosis – JenniferJennifer's heart condition was found following a stroke.
- Backstories – JenniferJennifer describes the day she had a stroke.
- Early Symptoms – JenniferJennifer describes her experience having a stroke and finding out afterward that she had heart failure.