LetsTalk PPCM

We're dedicated to saving mothers’ lives through PPCM education, early detection, and advocacy.
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We support moms, families, birth workers and healthcare providers with resources, training, and awareness to improve maternal health outcomes.

06/01/2026

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.

05/31/2026

Could it be more than "normal postpartum symptoms?

If you've recently had a baby and are experiencing severe shortness of breath, swelling, extreme fatigue, or a rapid heartbeat, don't ignore your symptoms.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an often misdiagnosed form of heart failure that can occur during pregnancy or within the months following delivery.

Too often, women are told their symptoms are simply part of recovery after childbirth. Sometimes they are. But sometimes they are signs that the heart needs immediate attention.

📊 PPCM affects approximately 1 in every 1,000–2,000 births and is now a leading cause of maternal mortality.

🩸 BNP and NT-proBNP blood tests can help healthcare providers identify cardiac stress and heart failure when PPCM is suspected.

The good news?
Recovery is possible. Many women experience significant improvement or recovery of heart function when PPCM is recognized and treated early.

We are committed to educating families, healthcare professionals, and communities about the warning signs of PPCM through survivor-led advocacy, workshops, trainings, and awareness campaigns.

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

05/29/2026

What I Wish I Knew As A New Mom…❤️‍🩹

Lisa Schwartz, an incredible author, actress, media personality, and patient advocate, joined Let'sTalkPPCM in 2024 with a passion for helping mothers feel seen, heard, and educated. Many may also recognize her from recent appearances on , and other amazing projects throughout her career.

During PPCM Awareness Week, Lisa shared her powerful story as a PPCM survivor and opened up about the signs she wishes she had known earlier after giving birth.

She spoke honestly about how easy it can be for new mothers to dismiss symptoms like extreme exhaustion, shortness of breath, swelling, chest discomfort, or a rapid heartbeat as “just part of motherhood” when sometimes it may be something much more serious.

Her message touched hearts across the room:
“Mothers deserve to be heard, taken seriously, and informed.”

Attendees were deeply moved by her courage, vulnerability, and passion for helping other women recognize the warning signs of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) sooner.

Thank you, heart sister Lisa, for turning your pain into purpose and helping us continue spreading awareness, education, and hope to families everywhere. 💐

Learn More: https://letstalkppcm.org/lisa-schwartz

05/27/2026

Shout out to TikTok, Grey's Anatomy, our wonderful supporters and amazing heart sisters for helping spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of this serious pregnancy-related heart condition. 💔

We’re grateful to see our message reaching more people as awareness continues to grow around Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. The more we learn, the more we can recognize symptoms early and advocate for timely care.

We are also excited to be partnering again with Baylor Scott & White Health, and will continue distributing our signs and symptoms education materials throughout medical centers, pregnancy resource centers, and healthcare facilities interested in strengthening awareness within their communities.

No one expects to face something like this during or after pregnancy, which is why education, awareness, and support are so important.

Take charge of your health, trust your symptoms, and don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself.

Learn more about signs, symptoms, survivor stories and resources at our website: https://letstalkppcm.org/signs-%26-symptoms

Our viral post: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p7JasD/

05/26/2026

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

After eight months of what appeared to be a healthy pregnancy, she underwent an emergency cesarean section. During the procedure, she temporarily lost consciousness, required a blood transfusion, and was rushed to the ICU. Once stabilized, she was finally able to meet her baby girl before returning home a few days later.

However, her journey was far from over.

On her very first night home, she began experiencing severe shortness of breath and returned to the emergency room, only to be discharged without answers. Shortly after arriving home, the hospital contacted her urgently and informed her she had a blood infection and needed to return immediately.

Following additional testing, doctors discovered she had a severely weakened heart. She was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare and often overlooked form of heart failure that can develop during pregnancy or within the months following childbirth. The condition weakens and enlarges the heart muscle, making it difficult for the body to receive the blood and oxygen it needs.

As her condition progressed, she was told she would need a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) to help keep her alive. Just months after receiving the device, she suffered her first massive stroke, followed by a second stroke only four months later.

Despite the unimaginable challenges she has faced, she continues fighting every day with incredible strength and resilience.

Today, Carmen no longer requires an LVAD and remains dedicated to raising awareness for PPCM while supporting other women navigating similar journeys. 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.

05/25/2026

We're proud to officially introduce Haley Pleiner as our Texas Heart Walk Team Lead for the October 17th, 2026 American Heart Association Heart Walk. ❤️

Haley joins our mission with a passion for advocacy, awareness, and honoring the mothers and families impacted by Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Her leadership will help expand maternal heart health awareness and community outreach efforts throughout Texas.

As part of this year’s event, we will also be creating a memorial display featuring poster tributes in honor of Heart Sisters lost to PPCM. If you would like your loved one included in this remembrance, please message us the name of the mother you would like honored.

We are currently seeking 10 walking participants located in or near Texas to join our team for this impactful awareness event.

We welcome:
• PPCM survivors
• Family members and supporters
• Birth workers and advocates
• Community members passionate about maternal health

Together, we will walk to raise awareness, support families, and help ensure more mothers are heard, diagnosed, and supported.

📩 Register or Support Here:
https://letstalkppcm.org/upcoming-events

05/23/2026

We want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Dr. Njeri Kuria M.D. for joining our Workshop for PPCM Awareness Week! 🫀

Your willingness to support this important conversation and help educate our community on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy means more than words can express.

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge, advocate for maternal heart health, and stand with PPCM survivors and families. We had nothing but great feedback from attendees.

Awareness saves lives, and because of dedicated medical professionals like you, more women will feel seen, heard, and informed. We are truly grateful for your support of our mission and the work we continue to do through LetsTalkPPCM.

Thank you again for helping make our workshop impactful, empowering, and meaningful.

05/22/2026

🚨 TRUE OR FALSE?

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but serious form of heart failure that can happen during the last month of pregnancy OR even several months postpartum.

❌ Answer: FALSE

Many women are told their symptoms are just part of “normal recovery” after childbirth, causing dangerous delays in diagnosis and treatment.

⚠️ Symptoms may include:
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in legs or feet
• Extreme fatigue
• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing while lying down
• Persistent coughing
• Feeling faint or dizzy

Some women diagnosed with PPCM had healthy pregnancies, no prior heart conditions, and no warning signs before symptoms appeared.

💬 PPCM Heart Mom's:
What was YOUR experience like before diagnosis?
Were your symptoms dismissed at first?
How long did it take to get answers?

Your story could help another mother recognize the signs sooner. ❤️

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

05/21/2026

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.

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