PPCM Blog

After surviving breast cancer and enduring multiple miscarriages, Daniela’s dream of motherhood finally came true. But just weeks after giving birth, she faced a new battle: Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM). What began as typical postpartum symptoms quickly escalated to heart failure, forcing her into the ICU. Daniela’s journey is one of resilience, hope, and the power of early intervention in the fight against PPCM.

In the fog of new motherhood, I knew something wasn’t right. The swelling, the breathlessness, the weight gain - none of it felt normal. But when I brought it up, I was told to wait it out. This post is for anyone who's been dismissed while trying to listen to their body. It offers practical language to use with your doctor, questions grounded in Canadian heart failure guidelines, and what finally helped me get the care I needed after my diagnosis with peripartum cardiomyopat

I thought I was just tired. Postpartum tired. But my heart was failing. In this personal story, I share how I was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare and often missed form of heart failure that can strike during or shortly after pregnancy. This post is for every woman who’s been told “it’s just anxiety” when it was something far more dangerous. If my story helps one mother push for the test that saves her life, it’s worth every word.