We’re excited to share an important milestone for the PPCM community!

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is now included among the pregnancy-related cardiovascular conditions highlighted by Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association’s initiative focused on women’s heart health.

For PPCM survivors, advocates, families and healthcare professionals, this visibility matters.

For years, our community has worked to make sure people understand that heart failure can happen during pregnancy or after childbirth, and that symptoms should never automatically be dismissed as “normal” pregnancy or postpartum changes.

Go Red for Women’s Pregnancy and Maternal Health resources include information about:

• Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM)
• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Chronic hypertension
• Gestational hypertension
• Preeclampsia
• Eclampsia
• HELLP syndrome
• Gestational diabetes
• Pregnancy-related stroke
• Congenital heart disease
• Other pregnancy-related cardiovascular conditions

Go Red for Women identifies cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of maternal death in the United States and emphasizes the importance of understanding heart health before, during and after pregnancy.

PPCM can be difficult to recognize because symptoms may resemble common pregnancy or postpartum experiences.

Symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing when lying down
• Extreme fatigue
• Swelling or fluid retention
• Racing heart or palpitations
• Chest discomfort

Knowing that PPCM exists can help a mom recognize when something may be more than normal postpartum recovery.

If you are experiencing concerning or worsening symptoms, seek medical care and tell your healthcare professional that you are pregnant or recently gave birth and are concerned about your heart.

Read the American Heart Association’s Pregnancy & Maternal Health information and explore the conditions and resources they provide:

Go Red for Women — Pregnancy & Maternal Health

Explore their Pregnancy & Maternal Health Resources and Tools:

Go Red for Women — Resources & Tools

Read Go Red for Women’s PPCM information:

Go Red for Women — Postpartum & PPCM

We want every mom to know:

Your symptoms matter.
Your concerns matter.
Your heart matters.
And you deserve to be heard.

❤️ Let’s keep talking about PPCM.

When you're pregnant or newly postpartum, it's easy to brush off symptoms as "normal." But if something doesn't feel right, speak up. You deserve to be heard, supported, and tested.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring many physical and emotional changes. It can be easy to dismiss symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, or a racing heart as part of pregnancy or recovery after childbirth.

But when something doesn’t feel right, speak up.

Your concerns deserve to be heard, evaluated, and taken seriously.

Patient advocacy means actively participating in your healthcare and speaking up about your symptoms and concerns. It can include asking questions, requesting an appropriate evaluation, seeking additional information, and asking for a second opinion when needed.

At Let’s Talk PPCM, we empower mothers and families with information they can use to have informed conversations with their healthcare providers, especially when symptoms may be related to heart health.

Our goal is simple:

No mother should have her heart-related symptoms overlooked or dismissed.

If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, be specific about what you are feeling, when your symptoms began, and whether they are getting worse.

You can ask your healthcare provider:

“Could these symptoms be related to my heart?”
 

“Would a BNP or NT-proBNP blood test be appropriate for me?”
 

“Would an echocardiogram help evaluate how my heart is functioning?”
 

“Would an ECG/EKG be appropriate based on my symptoms?”
 

“Could this be part of normal postpartum recovery, or could there be another cause that needs to be evaluated?”
 

“Would a cardiology consultation be appropriate?”
 

You do not need to diagnose yourself. You can ask questions and advocate for a thorough evaluation.

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your healthcare provider may consider tests to evaluate your heart and determine what may be causing your symptoms.

Blood tests that can help evaluate whether the heart is under increased strain.

An ultrasound of the heart that evaluates heart structure and how well the heart is pumping.

A test that records the heart’s electrical activity and can help identify certain rhythm or electrical abnormalities.

May be used when clinically appropriate to evaluate the lungs and look for signs such as fluid accumulation.

In certain situations, a cardiac MRI may provide more detailed information about the heart.

Important: Not every person needs every test. Your healthcare provider should determine which evaluations are appropriate based on your symptoms, examination, history, and clinical findings.

You know your body better than anyone. If something feels different, persistent, severe, or concerning, don't be afraid to speak up.

• Write down your symptoms and when they started.
• Note whether your symptoms are getting better or worse.
• Bring a trusted family member or support person when possible.
• Bring a list of medications and supplements you take.
• Write down your questions before your appointment.

Use clear, direct language:

“I am concerned about these symptoms and would like to understand what could be causing them.”
 

“Could we evaluate whether my heart may be contributing to these symptoms?”
 

“What conditions are you considering, and what testing would help determine the cause?”
 

If you feel your concerns have not been adequately addressed, you can ask for clarification, request another evaluation, or seek a second opinion.

You deserve to be an active participant in your healthcare.

PPCM can occur during pregnancy or after delivery. Symptoms may sometimes overlap with common pregnancy or postpartum experiences, which is why recognizing changes in your health is important.

Watch for:

• Shortness of breath, particularly when lying down or at rest
• Unusual or worsening fatigue
• Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, or hands
• Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort
• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• Sudden or unexplained weight gain
• Persistent coughing, particularly at night
• Difficulty breathing that is new or worsening
• Waking up feeling short of breath or gasping for air

Symptoms that are severe, sudden, or worsening require prompt medical attention.

If you are experiencing severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, or another medical emergency, seek emergency medical care immediately.

At Let’s Talk PPCM, we believe every mother deserves to be informed, heard, and supported.

Patient advocacy isn't about challenging your healthcare provider. It's about making sure you and your healthcare team have the information needed to recognize concerns and make informed decisions about your care.

Your questions matter.
Your symptoms matter.

Your heart matters. ❤️

Let’s Talk PPCM
Educate. Support. Empower.