Women’s Cardiac Campaigner
"Women having a heart attack are 50% more likely to receive a misdiagnosis than men"
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"Women having a heart attack are 50% more likely to receive a misdiagnosis than men" 〰️
In 2021, I had “probably 2” heart attacks caused by a SCAD
In A&E I was either ignored or suffered the ‘eye roll’ from the female staff.
I was then told by the senior female A&E doctor that I had gastritis.
Until the blood tests came back.
Although eventually receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment,
not being believed is a continuing issue for me, and many women like me.
You can read more about it in my blogs
"Women having a heart attack are 50% more likely to receive a misdiagnosis than men"
〰️
"Women having a heart attack are 50% more likely to receive a misdiagnosis than men" 〰️
“Why I’m now a passionate patient advocate
for female heart health.”
My Aims
Increase awareness of female heart health
Highlight the existence of medical gender bias, within cardiology
Raise awareness of the effect of the
perimenopause and menopause on our hearts
Most Recent Adventures
My cardiac story is Chapter 1
Buy this brilliant book, written by
Louise Hockings-Thomson & Jinty Sheerin of the Womenkind Collective.
Be prepared… you may be shocked (& terrified)
by the stories of women being dismissed who had:
gynae cancers, endometriosis, anorexia nervosa, birth trauma, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and more.
‘Tackling Gender Bias in the Healthcare System’
book launch - September 2026, London
From left to right: Fiona Clark, Diane Danzebrink, Dr Aziza Sesay
Louise Hockings-Thomson & Jinty Sheerin
‘Spill the Tea’ podcast Womenkind Collective
Achievements:
Published Articles
Published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
2025
To read the article https://academic.oup.com/eurjcn/article/25/2/225/8221362
Achievements:
Patient Advocate Participation
1. ‘SCAD in Scotland Steering Group’
February 2023
Led by Professor Lis Neubeck of Napiers University, Edinburgh, the project culminated in me presenting to a Cross Party Group in the Scottish Government.
A pilot SCAD clinic was successfully set up in Forth Valley, Scotland in December 2023.
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After discussions between Prof. Neubeck & 2 other Scottish, SCAD patients; Mary Galbraith and Margaret Davis, this project was born.
The steering group comprised of cardiologists, a SCAD specialist and numerous researchers from Napiers University.
The aim was to get funding for a SCAD clinic in Scotland as at the time, any Scottish patients would have to travel to Leicester for consultations (& be successful in gaining a referral from Scotland to England - no mean feat!)
2. ‘Revising Recovery for SCAD Patients Steering Group’
2023
To watch the video click here to go to Napiers University website, https://www.napier.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/impact-case-studies/revising-recovery-for-scad-patients
Led by Professor Lis Neubeck of Napiers University, Edinburgh, the research examined cardiac rehab and care for SCAD patients.
As cardiac rehab is usually focused around men with traditional cardiac risk markers, it rarely meets the needs of more healthy, midlife women with no cardiac risk markers.
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The research recommended a revised approach to the treatment plans of women who suffer from this condition. An innovative approach is required, to support women’s health and improve the effective treatment for women who have suffered from a SCAD to be offered to all survivors of SCAD in the UK and beyond
3. Attended ‘Women’s Cardiovascular Research Priority Setting Meetings’
2024, 2025
Presentation given by Prof. Colin Berry Cardiologist in Glasgow
(You can see why I picked him as my cardiologist)
Red highlights added by myself
4. ‘Setting research priorities for the use of digital technology in the self-management of heart health’
To read the article - https://academic.oup.com/eurjcn/article/25/3/490/8489131
4. Participant for The Alliance Scotland* video -
‘Living with a Heart Condition’
2024
To watch the video on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrQZeBKhdXI&t=402s
*The Alliance are a strategic partner of the Scottish Government. Their purpose is to improve the wellbeing of people & communities across Scotland.
Achievements:
Media
2022
Listen to my episode; Season 5 episode 5
Cardiac Health in Menopause
(although, we’ll need to do a catch-up as a LOT has
happened since then!
2023
Awareness of SCAD heart attacks
2023
Not being believed in A&E
2023
Attending the BHF reception at the
Scottish Parliament with Prof. Nick Mills, BHF Chair of Cardiology & Cardiologist Edinburgh and
Prof. Lis Neubeck - Head of the Centre for
Cardiovascular Health, Napiers University, Edinburgh
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
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Knowledge
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Understanding
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Empowering
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Knowledge
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Understanding
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Empowering
〰️ Knowledge 〰️ Understanding 〰️ Empowering 〰️ Knowledge 〰️ Understanding 〰️ Empowering
