Listening to the Heart: Lived Experience as a Catalyst for Better Cardiac Care

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Episode Summary

What happens when surviving cancer in your 20s leads to a completely different health journey decades later? In this powerful episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, hosts Ursula Mann and Anne-Marie Hayes sit down with Jackie to explore the realities of women’s heart health, delayed diagnosis, and why patient-led advocacy is changing the future of care.

After surviving Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 24, Jackie went on to build a successful career in fashion and live what she thought was a healthy, “normal” life — until nearly 20 years later, she experienced chemotherapy-induced heart failure. What began as flu-like symptoms eventually led to a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, opening her eyes to the long-term “legacy” cancer treatment can leave behind.

Today, Jackie is a passionate advocate working to improve awareness, access to care, and support systems for women living with heart disease. She shares why women are still too often misdiagnosed, how heart disease symptoms can look very different in women, and why advocacy starts with simply believing that your health matters.

This episode is an urgent and empowering conversation about equalizing care, listening to lived experience, and ensuring women are no longer treated as “small men” in cardiovascular medicine.

Why You Should Listen

Learn how chemotherapy and cancer treatments can impact heart health decades later
Hear why women’s heart disease symptoms are still frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed
Understand the growing connection between gynecology, hormones, and cardiology
Discover the importance of patient-led support communities and advocacy
Gain practical insights into heart health risk factors every woman should know
Explore how Canada and global organizations are working to improve women’s cardiac care

Episode Highlights

00:32 – Why women’s heart health remains under-researched and misunderstood
04:35 – Jackie’s cancer diagnosis at 24 and the long-term effects of treatment
06:32 – Discovering chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy nearly 20 years later
07:54 – The moment Jackie’s mother pushed her to request an EKG
09:49 – The alarming statistics around women and heart disease misdiagnosis
12:42 – Feeling isolated while searching for trustworthy patient support
16:48 – Jackie’s advice for women: “Put yourself first”
18:12 – Hidden heart disease risk factors linked to hormones, pregnancy, and autoimmune conditions
22:48 – Why women are still being treated as “small men” in research and medication dosing
25:30 – What “bikini medicine” means and why it limits women’s care
28:24 – Canada’s progress in women’s heart health and the new national women’s health framework
30:43 – Jackie’s “Heart Warrior Queens” philosophy: love boldly, live bravely, lead your own journey

Resources & Organizations

Jackie

Jackie is a patient advocate living with chemotherapy-induced heart failure following treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in her 20s. After a career of nearly 20 years in the fashion industry as an apparel buyer, her diagnosis led her to channel her experience into advocacy. She has been living well with heart failure for close to 10 years.

She is the founder of Canadian Women with Medical Heart Issues, a 1600+ member FB support community she started in 2017, she is the lead for HeartLife Women, and an active member of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance. She also engages with Global Heart Hub on various women awareness initiatives.

Jackie is passionate about improving access to care, amplifying the voices of women living with heart disease, and ensuring women have the knowledge and support to advocate for themselves.

Medical Disclaimer:

The content shared on Amplify is for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing discussed on this podcast—including stories, experiences, perspectives, or commentary from hosts, guests, or contributors—should be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.

Always seek the guidance of your physician or other licensed provider with any questions regarding your health, medical conditions, or treatment options.