Our Story
A community initiative dedicated to helping women better understand their heart health.
Where it began
The origins of StrongHER Hearts trace back to a series of experiences that slowly revealed a problem that had been hiding in plain sight.
In 2021, a close family member suffered a major heart attack. Like many women, she initially dismissed the symptoms and was fortunate to survive. That experience raised questions within our family about how easily cardiovascular warning signs in women can be misunderstood or overlooked.
Not long afterward, another female family member began experiencing persistent chest discomfort. After multiple medical appointments where her concerns were not fully investigated, she eventually insisted on further testing. The experience left her confused and frightened, and it became clear how difficult it can sometimes be for women to navigate cardiovascular concerns when symptoms don’t match the “classic” patterns many people expect.
At the time, these experiences still felt like isolated events.
Then in early 2024, a newsletter from the Heart and Stroke Foundation reached instructors across the country with a simple message: women are less likely to receive CPR in cardiac emergencies, and instructors should advocate for women’s heart health.
That message prompted deeper reflection and research.
While teaching community CPR classes, conversations about women’s cardiovascular health began to emerge naturally. Women started asking questions. Some shared experiences of symptoms that had been dismissed or misunderstood. Others simply wanted reassurance that their hearts were healthy.
Soon a few students asked a simple question:
“Could we check our hearts?”
What began as a small conversation in a classroom slowly grew into something more.
The First Heart Gatherings
As more conversations began to happen during CPR classes, the interest continued to grow. Women started asking questions about their symptoms, their family histories, and whether there was a simple way to check their heart health.
One of those conversations led to an unexpected idea.
A former student named Megan suggested that instead of trying to arrange appointments individually, a small group of friends could simply gather together in someone’s home. She affectionately called it a “heart party”—a casual evening where women could learn about heart health, ask questions, and have their ECGs recorded while sitting together in a familiar and comfortable space.
At first, the idea seemed unrealistic.
But within minutes of sending a few text messages, several of her friends responded that they would happily come. It quickly became clear that the interest was much stronger than expected.
Wanting to make sure there were no barriers for women who might feel uncomfortable during the screening process, a nurse friend named Mandy was invited to be part of the first gathering.
When Mandy heard the idea, she didn’t hesitate—she offered to host the first event herself.
That first small gathering proved something important: when women felt comfortable, supported, and heard, they were eager to learn more about their heart health.
From that point forward, the conversations began spreading quickly through communities, friends, and workplaces.
What started as a simple conversation was beginning to grow into something much larger.
From Living Rooms to Community Spaces
After the first heart gatherings, word began to spread quickly.
Women who attended started sharing their experiences with friends, coworkers, and family members. Many began asking whether the same conversations could happen in other places—workplaces, community groups, schools, and local organizations.
The ideas did not come from a formal plan. They came from the women themselves. StrongHER Hearts grew because women wanted a space where they could ask questions, seek reassurance, and take ownership of their heart health—and the role I found myself playing was simply helping create that space.
One group would suggest bringing the conversation to their workplace. Another would ask if it could be shared with colleagues during a professional development day. Others wondered whether their friends or community groups might benefit from the same information.
The question was always the same:
“How can we make this work here?”
With each invitation, the gatherings gradually moved beyond living rooms and into community spaces across southern Alberta.
At the same time, the goal remained simple: create an environment where women could learn about their heart health, ask questions openly, and receive simple cardiovascular screenings if they chose.
What began as a few informal gatherings was slowly evolving into a broader community initiative.
That initiative would eventually become StrongHER Hearts.
Mission Statement:
StrongHER Hearts exists to help improve cardiovascular health outcomes for women through early awareness, screening, and education.
By bringing conversations about women’s heart health into workplaces, homes, and community spaces, StrongHER Hearts helps women recognize potential warning signs earlier, better understand their symptoms, and feel confident seeking medical care when needed.
The insights gained through this work also contribute to growing awareness and research focused on women’s cardiovascular disease.
Vision:
A future where women understand their heart health, recognize symptoms earlier, and feel confident seeking answers—so potential problems can be addressed before they become life-threatening.
Meet your Instructors
Jim
Founder & Lead Instructor
With more than 25 years of experience as a paramedic and firefighter serving communities across southern Alberta, Jim brings a practical, real-world perspective to cardiovascular education.
Throughout his career on the front lines of emergency care, he has seen how quickly heart-related emergencies can unfold—and how important early awareness can be. StrongHER Hearts grew out of that experience and from personal moments that revealed how often women’s cardiovascular concerns can be overlooked or misunderstood.
Jim’s teaching style is calm, conversational, and grounded in real experience. His goal is simple: create a space where women feel comfortable asking questions, learning about their heart health, and gaining the confidence to seek answers when something doesn’t feel right.
Mandy
Palliative Care Nurse
With over 20 years of experience in palliative care nursing, Mandy brings deep compassion and thoughtful perspective to the StrongHER Hearts team.
Her work caring for patients and families during some of life’s most difficult moments has shaped her approach to education—one rooted in empathy, patience, and respect for each person’s experience.
Mandy has a natural ability to help people feel comfortable and supported during conversations about health. Her warmth and positive energy help create an environment where women feel safe asking questions and learning about their heart health.
Outside of her work in healthcare, Mandy enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring new places through travel.
Jessi
ICU Nurse
As an ICU nurse, Jessi works daily in one of the most demanding areas of healthcare, caring for patients facing critical illness.
Her experience in intensive care has given her a close view of how cardiovascular disease can impact patients and families, and it has strengthened her commitment to patient advocacy and compassionate care.
Jessi brings a thoughtful and attentive approach to both clinical care and education. She believes that every patient deserves to feel heard, respected, and supported when navigating their health.
Her energy and dedication help ensure that StrongHER Hearts gatherings remain welcoming spaces where women can learn, ask questions, and feel confident taking the next steps in their care.