LetsTalk PPCM

Meet Janelle Dominique:
By looking at the photo above, could you believe she was in full-blown heart failure?

In August 2010, at just 29 years old and raising her 14-month-old daughter, Jasmine, Janelle began experiencing symptoms that would ultimately change her life. What started as sudden shortness of breath while cooking quickly progressed into an inability to sleep lying flat, overwhelming fatigue, and a persistent cough accompanied by crackling sounds in her lungs.

As a nursing student preparing for clinicals, she knew something wasn't right. Yet despite multiple doctor visits, her symptoms were repeatedly misdiagnosed. She was told she had GERD-induced asthma and later atypical pneumonia. Even after an EKG revealed abnormalities, the warning signs were overlooked.

Her condition continued to deteriorate. Exhausted, frightened, and struggling to breathe, she found herself losing hope. Everything changed when a nurse practitioner took the time to listen. Recognizing that she was critically ill, the provider immediately referred her for a cardiac evaluation. That decision saved her life.

After spending a week in the ICU and another week hospitalized, she finally received answers. Her ejection fraction was only 15%, and she was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can strike during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum, often with life-threatening consequences if left undetected.

Through a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and holistic support, she gradually improved her heart function into the low-normal range and enjoyed many years of stability. Later, another pregnancy, the challenges of ongoing life stressors impacted her heart function again, but her determination never wavered.

Today, Janelle is still on the road to recovery. She believes that early BNP testing and echocardiograms at the first signs of symptoms could help prevent stories like hers and potentially save mothers’ lives.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

Meet Ashley:
By looking at the photo above, could you believe she was in full-blown heart failure?

After the birth of her third child, Ashley expected the usual exhaustion that comes with caring for a newborn. But just two weeks postpartum, she began feeling unusually weak, struggled to eat, and felt completely drained. As a busy mom, she pushed through the symptoms, believing it was simply part of recovery.

Soon after, she developed what appeared to be a severe urinary tract infection. She experienced a dangerously high fever, vomiting, and nearly passed out, leading to an emergency room visit. Doctors treated her for a kidney infection caused by a UTI and sent her home with antibiotics and fluids. But her condition continued to worsen.

Within days, she developed severe swelling, heavy painful legs, ongoing fevers, and abnormal blood pressure and heart rate changes that alarmed medical staff during another ER visit. Although her BNP levels were significantly elevated, answers were still unclear.

Eventually, after advocating for further testing and scheduling an echocardiogram through her primary care provider, she was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can strike during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum, often with life-threatening consequences if left undetected.

Now a year into her diagnosis, she remains on multiple heart medications while continuing to battle fatigue, heart palpitations, and irregular heart rates. As she waits for her repeat echocardiogram, the fear and uncertainty of living with heart failure at just 34 years old weighs heavily on her mind.

Today, Ashley’s still on her road to recovery. She believes that early BNP testing and echocardiograms at the first signs of symptoms could help prevent stories like hers and potentially save mothers’ lives. 

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.