Stitching VrouwenHart Joins FH Europe Foundation Network to Champion Women’s Heart Health

FH Europe Foundation is thrilled to welcome Stitching VrouwenHart from The Netherlands to be part of the FHEF Network of patient organisations.

VrouwenHart is a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to women’s heart health in the country, run by volunteers.

Why This Matters
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, affecting millions of lives each year. Shockingly, women are often underrepresented in research, diagnosis, and treatment. VrouwenHart recognises this disparity and is committed to bridging the gap.

FHEF and VrouwenHart have worked together closely for a few years. On the occasion of the FH Awareness Day 2023, VrouwenHart Founder Caroline Verhage formed part of the expert panel of international female speakers for our webinar “Misdiagnosis and Gender Bias in Women with FH”.

Caroline established VrouwenHart in 2016 after her own experience and misdiagnosis for SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection). She wanted to help other women self-advocate and get the treatment they need sooner. With Caroline’s relentless work and the support of a growing team, VrouwenHart now has over 17,000 followers and has helped numerous women across Europe. In fact, it is through VrouwenHart that we have one of our board members – Annelies Dol!

VrouwenHart’s Mission
VrouwenHart, which translates to “Women’s Heart,” has been at the forefront of raising awareness about heart disease in women. Our mission is threefold:

1. Advocacy: We advocate for gender-specific research, ensuring that women’s unique cardiovascular needs are addressed comprehensively.
2. Education: We empower women with knowledge about heart health, risk factors, and preventive measures.
3. Support: We provide a supportive community for women affected by heart conditions, fostering resilience and hope.

Together, Engaged for Change!

This collaboration demonstrates our joint commitment to making women’s heart health and geneder differences more prominent on the international cardiovascular health agenda, with a special focus on familial lipids like FH, elevated Lp(a) and FCS.

• Raise Awareness: Educate the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the unique cardiovascular risks faced by women.
• Promote Early Detection: Encourage timely diagnosis and personalised treatment for lipid and other cardiovascular disease risks.
• Drive Policy Change: Influence public health policies to prioritise women’s heart health.

Join Us on This Journey

We invite everyone—patients, healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers—to join us on this critical journey. Together, we can create a future where women’s hearts are protected, and CVD is no longer the silent killer it once was.