LetsTalk PPCM

06/17/2026

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

After years of infertility and being told pregnancy might not be possible, Michelle and her partner were overjoyed to learn they were expecting their rainbow baby. Her pregnancy seemed relatively normal at first, aside from fatigue and carpal tunnel symptoms that are often considered common during pregnancy.

Everything changed around her sixth month.
She began experiencing rapid swelling, a persistent cough, and severe shortness of breath. She often felt as though she was drowning. During reduced COVID-era prenatal visits, she reached out to her healthcare provider and was advised to take Robitussin and stay hydrated. As the weeks passed, her symptoms continued to worsen, but her concerns were repeatedly dismissed as “just pregnancy.”

By 34wks pregnant, breathing had become so difficult that she could no longer lie flat to sleep. She was forced to sleep sitting upright in a chair as fluid continued building throughout her body. In August 2021, after stepping out of the shower, she experienced a terrifying episode of severe chest pressure and an inability to breathe. She and her husband rushed to the hospital, knowing it was an emergency.

There, 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.

Despite the severity of her condition, she delivered a healthy baby boy through an emergency C-section. She credits the medical team who recognized the urgency of her condition and acted quickly to save both her life and her son's. In the months that followed, she was told her heart might never fully recover.

Today, Michelle 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.

06/16/2026

For months, supporters have asked how they could help us reach more mothers and families with our mission. 💌

You can join us in delivering powerful, lifesaving education directly into hospitals, pregnancy centers, and local communities.

When you subscribe, you’re helping fund the printing and distribution of the Let's Talk PPCM Educational Magazine, a trusted resource that equips families and healthcare providers with the knowledge to recognize the warning signs of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) early enough to save lives.

Each subscription helps ensure that mothers are not overlooked, misdiagnosed, or left without answers during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

💝 Your support becomes action, fueling awareness, education, and access to information when it matters most.

Become a Magazine Sponsor and stand with us in changing outcomes for mothers everywhere. Next release is coming soon!

Learn More: https://letstalkppcm.org/magazine

-Because Early Detection Can SAVE Lives-

06/14/2026

Recovery Is Not the End of the Story ❤️‍🩹

Many women diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) see their heart function improve, or even return to normal. While this is wonderful news, recovery doesn't always mean the journey is over.

Even after improvement, ongoing heart care remains important. Some survivors may continue to experience symptoms, face future heart health concerns, or require regular monitoring to ensure their heart remains strong.

If you're a PPCM heart mom:

✓ Keep your follow-up appointments
✓ Take medications as prescribed unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise
✓ Monitor for new or returning symptoms
✓ Advocate for your heart health
✓ Remember that your story matters

Recovery is something to celebrate, but continued awareness, education, and support can help protect your long-term health.

We believe every survivor deserves lifelong support, compassionate care, and access to the information needed to thrive beyond diagnosis.

Have you recovered from PPCM? Share how your journey has changed your perspective on heart health.

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org to learn how you can stand with us in protecting moms and their hearts.

06/12/2026

🎀 PPCM Awareness Bracelet Giveaway! 💌

Because maternal heart health awareness saves lives, we're celebrating an incredible milestone!

A heartfelt thank you to the supporters of Heart Mom PPCM, whose generosity has helped raise over $1,000 to advance PPCM awareness, education, and advocacy.

These efforts help more families recognize the warning signs of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and support earlier diagnosis and treatment.

To honor this impact, Heart Mom PPCM has donated 10 PPCM Awareness Bracelets to give away!

How to Enter:
✓ Follow LetsTalkPPCM
✓ Like this post

⭐ Bonus Entry: Share this post to help spread awareness about maternal heart health and PPCM.

📅 10 winners will be randomly selected on July 12, 2026.

Every share helps us reach another family, healthcare provider, or mother who may need this life-saving information. Together, we are creating a future where PPCM is recognized sooner and no mother faces it alone.

06/10/2026

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

After a pregnancy following loss, Brooke began experiencing severe swelling, rapid weight fluctuations, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath that became so severe she could no longer lie flat. Despite these alarming symptoms, they were initially believed to be normal pregnancy-related changes, and testing for preeclampsia was negative.

In June of 2024, she welcomed her baby boy into the world. After spending a week in the hospital, she was discharged home. Just 18 hours later, she was rushed back in critical condition.

An echocardiogram revealed the cause: 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.

At her sickest, her heart function was estimated to be below 10%, with her first echocardiogram showing an ejection fraction of just 15%. Through treatment, determination, and ongoing medical care, her heart function has improved to 45–50%.

Today, Brooke 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.

06/08/2026

Love it!!! 💖 Help us raise funds for our BNP blood testing projects by grabbing a bracelet today.

Every purchase supports increased awareness and helps expand access to BNP blood testing, an important tool in recognizing and managing peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Wear your bracelet, spread the word, and be part of saving heart moms. ❤️‍🩹

Visit heartmomppcm.com to grab yours.

06/08/2026

We are excited to share that Brianna Harris-Henderson, Founder of Let’sTalkPPCM, is a Co-Author on an abstract submitted to the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2026.

The abstract, titled "Patient-Reported Drivers of Diagnostic Delay in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy," explores patient experiences surrounding delayed diagnosis in PPCM and highlights opportunities to improve awareness, early recognition, and maternal heart care.

This research is part of our ongoing efforts through the PPCM Registry and would not be possible without the collaboration of an incredible team of dedicated cardiologists and researchers who are helping advance our understanding of PPCM and improve outcomes for families affected by this condition.

This milestone reflects Let’sTalkPPCM's continued commitment to elevating survivor voices and contributing to meaningful research that advances education, awareness, early detection, and patient-centered care in PPCM.

We are honored to be part of this important work and look forward to sharing updates as they become available.

Shout out to our heart sisters who have shared their story and contributed to research efforts thus far. Your experiences are helping drive change. ❤️‍🩹

Visit https://letstalkppcm.org to learn how you can stand with us in protecting moms and their hearts.

06/07/2026

We believe patient stories are one of the most powerful tools for education and awareness. ❤️‍🩹

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is often called a "hidden" condition because many of its symptoms, shortness of breath, swelling, fatigue, difficulty sleeping flat, and rapid heartbeat, can be mistaken for normal changes during pregnancy or postpartum recovery. 

As a result, many women experience delays in diagnosis.

By sharing real patient experiences, we help:

• Increase awareness of PPCM and its symptoms

• Highlight the importance of early recognition and diagnosis

• Educate healthcare professionals about the patient experience

• Support advocacy efforts aimed at improving maternal health outcomes

• Promote research by bringing attention to gaps in knowledge and care

• Provide connection and hope for patients and families navigating a PPCM diagnosis

Patient stories also help us better understand the diverse ways PPCM affects individuals. No two journeys are exactly alike. 

Some women recover heart function, some continue to live with chronic heart failure, some require advanced therapies such as mechanical heart support or transplantation, and some families experience the devastating loss of a loved one.

Every story shared contributes to a larger conversation about maternal heart health and the ongoing need for PPCM awareness, research, and support.

Share Story:  https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1

Grab Magazine: https://letstalkppcm.org/magazine

06/06/2026

As awareness of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) grows, many survivors have questions about family-building options, including IVF and gestational surrogacy.

One concern that has occasionally been raised is whether a PPCM survivor's eggs or embryo could increase the risk of PPCM in a gestational surrogate.

In 2005, Dr. James Fett published a rare case report describing PPCM in both a biological mother and her gestational surrogate, prompting early questions about potential shared risk factors in pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy.

Since then, research has increasingly pointed toward genetic, hormonal, vascular, and immune-related factors as contributors to PPCM.

Current evidence suggests that approximately 10–20% of women with PPCM who undergo genetic testing may carry a pathogenic cardiomyopathy-associated genetic variant.

Genetic counseling may be appropriate when considering IVF or surrogacy in families.

Overall, the evidence supports genetic predisposition rather than disease transmission as the relevant consideration in reproductive counseling.

Let'sTalkPPCM partners with and to provide access to genetic education and testing resources.

Get Free Genetic Testing: https://geneticcardiomyopathy.org/testing/get-tested

Support

06/05/2026

From all of us at Let’s Talk PPCM, we join in honoring the life and legacy of Jasmine Sanchez, a fellow heart sister whose journey deeply impacted our community.

Jasmine spent years courageously navigating advanced heart failure while continuing to show up for her children and hold onto hope for a future rooted in healing. After an eight-year wait, she received the incredible gift of a heart and liver transplant.

Even after this life-changing moment, she faced serious complications following surgery and sadly did not make it back home. In addition to heart failure, she also battled leukemia, facing each challenge with faith, determination, and strength that inspired everyone around her.

We hold Jasmine’s children, family, and loved ones close in our hearts during this incredibly difficult time. The grief of this loss is felt across the PPCM community, where her story continues to remind us of both the fragility of life and the importance of early detection, awareness, and support.

Please join us in lifting her family in prayer and surrounding her children with love and support. 🕊️

If you would like to support Jasmine’s children and family during this time, a fundraiser has been created to assist with funeral expenses and ongoing care:

Link: https://gofund.me/4451e3e47?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Jasmine bravely shared her story with us in 2019, visit the link to read more.

Story: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HE1hFUx9D/