LetsTalk PPCM, Grand Prairie, TX (2026)

04/11/2026

As we recognize , this story serves as a reminder that behind every statistic is a family, a lived experience, and a legacy that continues to speak.🫀

This photo captures two young sisters Brianna (7) and Crystal (14) taken long before anyone understood what life would later require of them.

In 2006, their family experienced the loss of their mother.

Years later, in 2014, the family was shaken again when Crystal, who had given birth just six months prior, passed away from an unknown heart condition. At the time, there was no clear diagnosis or understanding of what had occurred.

Just 2.5 years later, Brianna began experiencing the same unfamiliar symptoms (short of breath) and was later diagnosed with what is now known as Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a pregnancy induced heart failure.

What once took one sister, nearly took another.

This is why Let’s Talk PPCM exists.

The organization was created to raise awareness, improve education, and support early recognition of maternal heart health conditions, that are too often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or discovered too late.

The mission is simple: to ensure no mother is left without answers, support, or hope.

Every mother, baby, and family navigating this journey is honored, during BMHW and every week of the year.

Because awareness does not end with a moment. It saves lives. ❤️‍🩹

Learn more about PPCM: https://letstalkppcm.org

04/10/2026

We are ONE MONTH away from PPCM Awareness Week!

💐 Our special events will take place during Mother’s Day week, because this moment matters.

Mother’s Day is meant to celebrate life…
But for too many families, it’s also a reminder of the mothers we’ve lost.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-threatening heart condition that can happen during pregnancy or postpartum, even in healthy women.

Symptoms are often dismissed as “normal” and Diagnosis often comes too late.

That’s why we’re using PPCM Awareness Week to:

• Honor the mothers still here
• Remember the ones we’ve lost
• Educate families & medical professionals
• Push for EARLY DETECTION

Because awareness leads to:
• Early diagnosis
• Proper testing (BNP & Echocardiogram)
• Saved lives

AND we have something FUN in store for our amazing community supporters. 👀

By joining our virtual events, you are helping to:

✔️ Spread life-saving awareness
✔️ Empower women to advocate for themselves
✔️ Encourage early heart checks
✔️ Protect future mothers

One week. One mission.
To save mothers’ lives.

Attend 3 or more sessions to be entered in drawing: https://letstalkppcm.org/upcoming-events

04/05/2026

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

Residing in the United Kingdom, Natasha Tucker-Attram first developed symptoms shortly after an emergency C-section in 2020. In the weeks leading up to delivery, she experienced episodes of tachycardia. After giving birth, she developed a persistent cough and required 10 liters of oxygen. A series of tests, including an X-ray, CT scan, and echocardiogram, ultimately led to the diagnosis: Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can develop during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum and can be life-threatening if left undetected.

Her daughter was born during the height of the global pandemic, leaving her feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of what the diagnosis truly meant. With limited support, she turned to her own research and found connection through online communities. At the time of diagnosis, her heart function was between 35–40%, but within six months, it recovered to normal levels.

In 2023, she welcomed her first son. Throughout the pregnancy, monitoring showed normal heart function, including an echocardiogram during the second trimester and another shortly after delivery. However, one month postpartum, her heart function dropped again to 45%. Despite having no major symptoms aside from mild tachycardia near the end of pregnancy, she once again faced a whirlwind of emotions. Within six months, her heart function recovered again.

In 2025, during her third pregnancy, her care plan became more proactive. Regular BNP testing and echocardiograms were performed throughout. Each symptom brought anxiety, as she questioned whether PPCM was returning. This time, she was placed on a low-dose beta blocker and had a planned C-section at 38wks, partly due to a diagnosis of a short cervix and the hope of reducing strain on her heart.

On the day of delivery, her heart function remained within normal range. However, tachycardia persisted throughout the second and third trimesters. Within 48 hours after delivery, her heart function dropped again to 48%. ❤️‍🩹

Today, Natasha is still on her road to recovery after post-PPCM pregnancy. Her journey highlights the unpredictable nature of PPCM, even with monitoring, planning, and prior recovery. She believes that early BNP testing and echocardiograms at the first signs of symptoms could help save lives.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

04/02/2026

What Stress Does to the Body After a PPCM Diagnosis:

When you’re dealing with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) a form of heart failure that can occur late in pregnancy or in the months after delivery you’re already facing physical and emotional strain.

🧠 1. Activation of the Stress Response

When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These trigger your “fight or flight” response, raising heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, this can put extra strain on a heart that’s already weakened. Chronic activation of this system is linked to worse outcomes in heart disease.

❤️ 2. Stress Is Real Cardiovascular Risk

In a study from the Dallas Heart Study led by Dr. Ijeoma Eleazu, researchers created a “cumulative stress score” encompassing general, social, financial, and neighborhood stress. They found that higher levels of perceived stress were associated with higher risk factors for cardiovascular disease, even after accounting for things like blood pressure and cholesterol.

This suggests stress isn’t just “in your head” it directly affects the heart.

Dr. Eleazu noted that there’s a huge mind-heart connection that’s often overlooked in medicine: emotional stress and perceived pressures can lead to behaviors and physiological changes that worsen heart health.

🧠 3. Emotional Stress Influences Healing

After a PPCM diagnosis, emotional stress worry about recovery, fear for the future, and the pressures of motherhood, can:

•Interfere with sleep

•Increase inflammation

•Impact blood pressure regulation

•Make it harder to follow treatment plans

This doesn’t mean stress causes PPCM, but it can influence how your body responds and heals. Reducing stress can support your overall recovery process.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

03/29/2026

Meet Carmelita Murphy:

Shortly after welcoming her son, Carmelita began experiencing shortness of breath. Thinking it was anxiety, she sought medical care but was sent home with that same assumption. Over the next two weeks, her condition worsened, her legs began to swell, her breathing became more difficult, and she developed severe headaches. Like many new mothers, she believed it was all part of postpartum recovery, but her body was telling a different story.

One morning around 1 a.m., when she tried to get up to tend to her crying baby, she became dizzy and collapsed. Her son’s father immediately called 911, and Carmelita was airlifted to the hospital. Doctors soon discovered blood clots in her heart, one of which had traveled to her brain, causing a stroke. She was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a life-threatening and often misdiagnosed condition that can develop during pregnancy or up to 12 months postpartum, weakening the heart and making it difficult to pump blood effectively.

What followed was a fight for her life. Before receiving her life-saving heart transplant, Carmelita endured some of the most critical forms of life support, including living with an LVAD (a mechanical heart pump), requiring a balloon pump, and being placed on ECMO, a last-resort system that temporarily took over the function of her heart and lungs. Despite it all, she kept fighting.

Today, after a 5+ year battle, Carmelita is living with a new heart, a second chance at life. She is stepping into a new chapter filled with hope, healing, and the joy of raising her beloved son. While her journey has forever changed her life and she now lives with a “new normal,” her strength, faith, and resilience continue to shine.

We invite you to support Carmelita and her son, DJ, as they rebuild their lives. All donations will go directly toward medical expenses, recovery support, and helping this resilient family start fresh. ❤️‍🩹

🔗 https://gofund.me/250a827c5

Help support our mission: letstalkppcm.org

03/28/2026

For Moms at Risk or Experiencing Symptoms 💗

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) can develop during pregnancy or after delivery, and the most important thing to know is this: early symptoms are often subtle, but they are not normal, and they should never be ignored.

🫀 Common early symptoms to watch for:
Shortness of breath that feels unusual or worsening, trouble lying flat, swelling in the legs or face that is getting worse, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, chest tightness, or extreme fatigue that feels different from typical pregnancy tiredness.

Common Risk Factors to Know:
• High blood pressure or preeclampsia during pregnancy
• Pregnancy with twins or multiples
• Age 30 and older
• History of heart disease or prior PPCM
• Family history of cardiomyopathy or heart failure
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Black/African American maternal background (higher statistical risk due to medical + systemic factors)

Risk factors help identify who may need closer attention, but symptoms + early testing (BNP trends + Echocardiogram) are what help catch PPCM early and prevent progression.

The goal in both the first trimester and postpartum is trend tracking, not just one-time testing, making sure heart strain markers and heart function are not quietly increasing over time.

Early changes matter, because PPCM is most manageable when it is caught and addressed early.

💞 Always trust your symptoms. If something feels different, breathing, swelling, fatigue, or heart rhythm, ask for evaluation right away.

You deserve to have your concerns taken seriously.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

03/25/2026

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

Residing in Pennsylvania, Trisa’s story began in 2005 at just 26yrs old while pregnant with her first child. Throughout her pregnancy, she gained nearly eight pounds a month. Although she voiced concern, she was reassured that some women simply gain more weight and that it was nothing to worry about. By 26wks, the swelling had become severe.

After seeking medical attention, she was told her blood pressure was elevated and that she was showing early signs of preeclampsia. She was advised to reduce her workload and cut salt from her diet. At 30wks, her blood pressure became dangerously high, and she was admitted to the hospital. There, she received steroid injections to prepare her baby’s lungs for early delivery and was given magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures.

Despite already retaining extreme amounts of fluid, she continued receiving IV fluids, causing her body to swell even further. What began as a 130lbs pre-pregnancy weight had risen to 232lbs, largely due to fluid retention. After a week in the hospital, her preeclampsia became severe, and doctors decided to induce labor. She was initially told she would be able to deliver vaginally, but after a full day with no progress and a shift change in doctors, it was determined she was too swollen and would require a C-section.

The following morning, she woke up unable to see. Her blood pressure had spiked so high after delivery that she hemorrhaged in the back of both eyes. Her veins collapsed, requiring a PICC line placement. She could not lie flat or breathe, and oxygen alone was not helping. Soon after, she lost consciousness.

She later learned she had been placed on a ventilator and put into a medically induced coma for approximately 48hrs. When she woke in the ICU on a BiPAP machine, it was the first time her body felt relief. A cardiologist diagnosed her with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can develop during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum and can be life-threatening if left undetected. It was a condition he had never treated before but committed himself to researching in order to help her recover.

Today, Trisa is now considered fully recovered. But despite her recovery, she was told she should never have another child due to the risk of needing a heart transplant.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

03/21/2026

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-altering heart condition that can develop in the last month of pregnancy or even months after delivery, often when many mothers believe they are in the clear. What makes PPCM especially dangerous is how quietly it can progress, blending into what feels like a “normal” postpartum recovery.

Why this matters: Many women don’t realize that ongoing exhaustion, trouble breathing when lying down, rapid weight gain from fluid, or a persistent cough can be warning signs, not just part of motherhood. Because these symptoms overlap with everyday postpartum experiences, PPCM is frequently overlooked until the heart has already been significantly weakened.

⏱️ Timing is everything.

The longer PPCM goes undiagnosed, the harder the heart has to work, which can lead to long-term damage. Some women are diagnosed early and respond well to treatment, while others face a much more difficult road.

This is bigger than one diagnosis.

PPCM doesn’t just affect the heart, it changes how women experience motherhood, recovery, and daily life. It impacts families, routines, and the ability to care for a newborn the way many had planned.

To our Heart Sisters: Whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing heart failure, or living with a new heart, you represent strength, resilience, and survival. Your stories are the reason awareness is critical.

Take Action: Early detection can save lives, and hearts.

🫶 Support early testing and awareness by grabbing a bracelet at heartmomppcm.com

Learn more about PPCM at letstalkppcm.org

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) doesn’t always look like an emergency, until it becomes one.

03/19/2026

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

Residing in Florida, Kaylee was induced at 37wks due to her baby boy being diagnosed with fetal growth restriction. During induction, her blood pressure began to rise, but she was reassured by nurses that it was a normal part of the process.

While pushing, her heart rate dropped into the 40s and her blood pressure became extremely high. Her mother repeatedly questioned whether this was normal, but was told it was common during labor. She also experienced severe swelling, her feet were nearly three times their normal size, and was again reassured that it was expected.

She was discharged but once home, she continued monitoring her blood pressure and heart rate, noticing they remained abnormal. Two days later, she became extremely short of breath, disoriented, and began experiencing hallucinations. After calling her mother-in-law, she was urged to go to the hospital immediately with concerns for preeclampsia.
Kaylee and her husband arrived at the hospital and after several hours, her condition raised serious concern. When she asked if she could go home with medication, the doctor told her something was wrong with her heart and warned that if she left, her life would be at risk.

Shortly after, she was told it appeared she had Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can develop during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum and can be life-threatening if left undetected. She was placed on continuous monitoring, including a heart monitor and EKG, and required assistance even to get out of bed.

Later that night, she was admitted to the ICU where she was closely monitored. The following morning, a cardiologist confirmed she would need to remain hospitalized for several more days due to severe swelling and ongoing symptoms. She was started on diuretics and blood pressure medications and could not be discharged until the excess fluid was reduced.

Today, Kaylee is still on her road to recovery. She still experiences symptoms like shortness of breath as a result. While she is healing, the experience remains a daily challenge.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

03/18/2026

Over the past year, we’ve seen just how powerful it can be when survivors, families, healthcare professionals, and advocates unite around a shared mission.

Through Let's Talk PPCM, mothers affected by Peripartum Cardiomyopathy are finding community, sharing their stories, and helping bring awareness to a condition that is often misunderstood or overlooked.

The past year our work focused on several key areas:

❤️ Survivor Support – Through the Hope & Healing Fund, we were able to support Heart Sisters navigating recovery and life after diagnosis. Our community continues to remind mothers that they are not alone.

🩺 Medical Education – With the help of grant funding, we hosted free workshops and webinars designed to educate healthcare professionals and birth workers about PPCM, helping increase awareness and recognition of maternal heart symptoms.

📣 Awareness & Storytelling – Survivors courageously shared their experiences, helping families, clinicians, and communities better understand the realities of living with PPCM.

🔬 Research & Advocacy – We continued supporting research efforts and conversations around improved detection and maternal cardiac care.

🤝 Partnerships & Collaboration – New partnerships and collaborations helped expand the reach of PPCM awareness and education efforts.

🌎 Growing Community – Through media, conversations, and advocacy, more people are learning about PPCM and the importance of maternal heart health.

Every story shared, every conversation started, and every supporter who stands with this mission helps bring hope to families navigating PPCM.

Thank you to every survivor, supporter, partner, and healthcare professional who continues to help make this work possible.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

03/15/2026

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

Residing in Bedfordshire, England, Lucinda gave birth to her baby via C-section March 2025. But her symptoms had begun weeks before delivery. Two weeks earlier, she went to A&E with chest pain and significant swelling in her ankles, so severe she could not wear shoes. She also could not lie flat and had been sleeping on a recliner sofa. She was told the chest pain was likely related to asthma and was sent home.

Doctors attempted to induce labor, but when nothing progressed, a C-section was performed four days later. From the moment surgery began, she felt unwell, experiencing chest pain, dizziness, and nausea. Despite her concerns, she was reassured that these symptoms were normal after delivery and was discharged the following day.

At home, her condition continued to worsen. She struggled with severe chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and episodes of passing out. She still could not lie flat and remained sleeping on the sofa. A week after giving birth, she returned to the hospital but was told she did not have a blood clot and was again sent home. By that point, she could barely stay awake for more than ten minutes at a time and had severe exhaustion, dark circles under her eyes, and worsening symptoms.

Finally, two weeks after giving birth, A&E listened to her concerns and admitted her for further evaluation. The next day, she was told she was in heart failure and that her heart was functioning at only 16%. She was diagnosed with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can develop during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum and can be life-threatening if left undetected.

Today, Lucinda is still on her road to recovery. She believes that early BNP testing and echocardiograms at the first signs of symptoms could prevent stories like hers.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

03/13/2026

The voices of our heart sisters matter deeply. 🫀

Lived experiences from women who have faced Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) help bring awareness, education, and real insight into what many mothers experience during pregnancy and postpartum, especially when heart symptoms are misunderstood or misdiagnosed.

We’re grateful to share that one of our heart sisters, Shaniqua Spencer, participated in a community impact initiative with researchers from the Maternal and Reproductive Health Equity Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington. Their work focuses on improving maternal health outcomes and amplifying BIPOC community voices.

By sharing her story and lived experience with PPCM, she helped bring perspective to conversations surrounding maternal heart health and the realities many mothers quietly face.

Survivor voices matter.
Patient experiences matter.
Heart sisters supporting heart sisters matters.

Visit: https://letstalkppcm.org/share-your-story-1
to share your PPCM story and help raise awareness.

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