Women's Heart Health Gets Major Boost in Manitoba

St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg is poised to become a leader in women's heart health thanks to a new chair and a substantial investment. Dr. Shelley Zieroth, a seasoned cardiologist, has been appointed to lead this critical initiative, aiming to combat the persistent underdiagnosis and undertreatment of cardiovascular disease in women.

This endeavor is backed by a $1.3 million investment over five years, including a significant donation from an anonymous Manitoban to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. The new chair position will spearhead the creation of a dedicated women's heart health research and clinic initiative within Manitoba.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in Canada, with women being disproportionately affected by premature death. Historically, two-thirds of cardiovascular research has focused on men, leading to gaps in understanding and treating women's specific cardiac conditions and symptoms, which can differ significantly from men's.

The initiative will establish a "living laboratory" to test equity-focused interventions and improve real-world care. Zieroth aims to create a patient and caregiver advisory council, emphasizing partnerships with Indigenous, racialized, rural, and socioeconomically marginalized women to ensure diverse perspectives inform research and care, ultimately improving outcomes in Manitoba.