Ginette

6 years since first sign of heart failure

Age at interview: 54

Six years ago, Ginette was in Florida when intuition told her something was wrong. She asked her partner to take her to the ER as she knew she was having a heart attack. Hospital staff did not take her seriously and felt that she was experiencing anxiety until she passed out on the floor. When she woke up a few days later Ginnette was told that she did have a heart attack and had undergo triple bypass surgery. This was the only information Ginette received. Ginette returned to Canada where it took 6 months before she found a cardiologist. Ginette credits her “heart sisters” – a Facebook group for women with heart issues as key to her healing. Six years after her heart attack Ginette has still not received a formal diagnosis and continues to struggle to access the care. Ginette encourages other women with heart issues to keep asking questions, keep pushing and to take care of yourself.

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More content

• Stigma & Gender Bias – Ginette
  Ginette's doctors and nurses doubted her, while in ER for heart attack.
• Mental Health & Emotional Support – Ginette
  Ginette's insurance does not offer enough coverage to pay for counselling.
• Finding Information & Cardiac Rehab – Ginette
  Ginette needs more information about how to live with heart failure.
• Reflections on Identity, Life and Death – Ginette
  Ginette wonders if she gave her heart problems to her son.
• Reflections on Identity, Life and Death – Ginette
  Ginette says she misses 'the old me.'
• Access – Ginette
  Ginette struggles to find a local cardiologist following her heart attack and triple bypass surgery in Florida.
• Care Delivery – Ginette
  Ginette called to see a doctor in January – no reply until April.
• Impact on Work, School, Finances – Ginette
  Ginette's insurance does not offer sufficient coverage for mental health counselling.
• Surgery and Devices – Ginette
  Ginette underwent an emergency triple bypass surgery in the US and woke up confused, needing answers.
• COVID Challenges – Ginette
  Ginette could not get answers or more information as access to doctors was so limited.