On February 24, WomenHeart hosted a HeartTalks, "Learning to Thrive with Heart Disease: Stories of Resilience." WomenHeart Champions Gwen Mayes and Janet Dennis shared what thrivorship means to them, offered tips for positive thinking, and spoke about what it's been like to thrive physically, going so far as to become a competitive athlete after a heart transplant. Dr. Christine Crawford from the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) discussed ways of recognizing and addressing depression and anxiety when faced with a heart disease diagnosis. Watch the webinar moderated by CEO Celina Gorre. In addition, WomenHeart posted a blog featuring writings from WomenHeart Champions Janet Dennis, Eileen Dreczka, Eve Hauser and Lori Wood about what thriving with heart disease means to each one of them. 

As a continuation of our work to raise awareness of missed and delayed diagnosis of heart disease in women, WomenHeart released the second in a series of videos featuring WomenHeart Champions' misdiagnosis stories. You can watch Florence's story and read more about the effort, which includes an opportunity to write your members of Congress to raise awareness of this problem. The next (and final) story will be released in March. 

WomenHeart's social media channels were busy all month with our annual #29DaysofHeart campaign in honor of Black History Month and Heart Month. With over 16 partner organizations, we were able to reach thousands of people with our messages about heart disease in Black women. Our website includes some of the messages and graphics we posted, as well as links to live interviews with WomenHeart Champions Kynata Cope, darlene scott and Monique Acosta House, who tell their unique heart stories and share advice for other women about how to take control of their heart health. 

WomenHeart spent the month of February shining a spotlight on women’s heart health and engaging WomenHeart Champions and other stakeholders. We engaged in Heart Failure Awareness Week, including a Twitter chat on February 16, and in Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day by participating in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Rachel Bond from NHA Member Dignity Health which streamed on February 22. Watch the panel discussion and all other presentations from that day. In addition, CEO Celina Gorre spoke on a panel hosted by CQ Roll Call and Novartis called “A Path to Improving Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes in the U.S,” which can be viewed here. We also hosted the first Heart Walk, which allowed Champions the opportunity to compete for the most steps and to raise funds for WomenHeart. We complete Heart Month with a virtual Advocacy Day on March 2 , meeting with lawmakers to ask for more research on heart disease in women.

WomenHeart is hosting a weekly yoga class over Zoom designed specifically for heart patients. Led by instructors from the Prema Yoga Institute, this cardiac yoga program was developed with cardiologists from the Northwell Health Network in New York City and is practiced primarily in a chair, no previous experience is needed. Classes started February 23rd and will be held Wednesdays at 5:00pm ET / 2:00pm PT through March. RSVP here and learn more about the classes and instructors. If you're curious what these classes are like, check out these examples from when we hosted these classes in 2020. 

WomenHeart is hosting the annual Wenger Awards on May 23, 2022. This in-person event will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel at the Wharf in Washington, DC. Join us as we recognize pioneers and innovators in women's heart health. Ticket information coming soon.