I recently became a patient of the Heart Institute.
No amount of working out or healthy eating was going to change my predicament. I have been very vocal about losing my dad to a heart attack at just 57 and about the fact that heart disease runs in my family. Yet, like so many people, I procrastinated when it came to following up, even when I knew better.
Ironically, it was routine bloodwork before my spinal surgery that raised a red flag.
I learned that I have elevated Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetic risk factor for heart disease. While high cholesterol is something many of us have heard about, Lp(a) is different. It can make plaque more likely to build up in the arteries and can make that plaque “stickier,” increasing the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases over time. Until I was tested, I had no idea this hidden risk factor was part of my own story.
Following protocol, I was referred to the Heart Institute and met with Dr. Jodi Heshka. I am now on a statin, and over the coming months we will be working to bring down my off-the-charts numbers and determine the best path forward.
This experience reinforced something we talk about every day at the Foundation:
Knowledge can save lives.
While family history and genetics are factors I cannot control, we do know that many heart attacks can be prevented when risk factors are identified early and managed appropriately.
Far too many women remain unaware of their cardiovascular risk, and heart disease continues to be the leading cause of premature death for women in Canada. That’s why we are so passionate about JUMP IN™ for Women’s Heart Health.
Every participant, every sponsor, and every donor helps fund groundbreaking research, advance patient care, and raise awareness so that more women can better understand their risk and take action before a cardiac event occurs. We also love that Jump In is more than a fundraiser. It’s a 30-day movement challenge that encourages people to build healthier habits, get moving, and prioritize their heart health.
I hope you’ll consider joining us this September. Register a team, become a sponsor, make a donation, or simply help spread the word. Together, we can change the future of women’s heart health.
Helping people understand their risk starts with creating conversations, and with women, how our symptoms and risk factors are different than men. We’re excited to do just that through our new Jump In campaign.
We had a lot of fun filming our newest commercials and are thrilled with the final result.
This year, we’re also giving people more choice in how they participate. They can sign up for the 30-day movement challenge, register for the Heart-to-Heart walk, or choose the full experience, which includes the walk and fireside chat.
One of my favorite parts of this role is sharing the remarkable work taking place within the walls of the Heart Institute and celebrating the physicians and scientists who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Few embody that spirit better than Dr. Marc Ruel.
Recently, his groundbreaking work in minimally invasive cardiac surgery was featured in The Lancet, one of the world’s most respected medical journals. While the science is complex, the impact is simple: helping patients receive life-saving cardiac procedures with less trauma, faster recovery, and an earlier return to the people and activities they love.
Dr. Ruel’s breakthrough is a powerful reminder that discoveries made right here in Ottawa have the potential to transform cardiac care for patients around the globe. You can read more about Dr. Ruel’s remarkable advancements in The Globe and Mail here, in CBC’s coverage here and in the Heart Institute’s own story here.
On a personal note, I was recently honoured to receive a commemorative coin from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in recognition of Ottawa’s 200th birthday and the people who have made an impact in our city. While I was grateful for the recognition, it also gave me an opportunity to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in a city that values community, service, and giving back.
Mayor Sutcliffe has long been a supporter of the Heart Institute, helping champion heart health and the importance of building a healthier community. His support, along with that of so many others, helps ensure that world-class care, research, and innovation continue to thrive right here in Ottawa.
There have already been plenty of tears in our house these past few days driven by fear and anxiety about leaving home, training camp and the changes ahead.
Andie left late last week and has already begun her final training camp at Bishop’s. Jamie leaves at the end of this week to begin her next chapter at Trent. My living room currently looks like a department store with packages, bags, school supplies, and personal items scattered everywhere.
I can already feel the shift when I pull into the driveway. The house is quieter. I miss the extra shoes by the door, the constant activity, and even the clutter that seemed to find its way into every room. I’ll be an emotional mess next week when it’s totally empty. Thankfully I still like hanging out with my husband 😊
By the time my next monthly update comes out, the Labour Day weekend will have passed, the kids will be back in school, and the extra curriculars will have started. Hold on tight, the rollercoaster is picking up speed. For those of you who still have some summer vacations still on the go, enjoy. I’m a tad jealous.
As always, thank you for being part of this Heart Institute family. Your support makes a difference every day, and I am excited to see what we will accomplish together this fall.
With love,
Lianne
