Networks of Excellence in Women's Heart, Brain Health

Sunnybrook Research Institute

Forming the first formal research network in Canada dedicated to studying stroke in women, the team has designed a research program to understand why there are more women living with the consequences of stroke than men, and why stroke affects women and men differently. Answering these questions is critical for identifying treatments and therapies to help women recover their health and function after stroke. The studies will involve five hospitals in four provinces and will focus on:

• Determining whether women and men with suspected mild strokes receive different tests and treatments, and whether there are differences in the long-term risk of eventually having a bigger stroke.
• Evaluating whether women and men hospitalized with stroke experience differences in recovery in all aspects of health, including quality of life, mental health, sleep, memory, and loneliness.
• Studying whether care and outcomes in First Nations patients hospitalized with stroke differ between women and men.
• Examining whether women and men access and use rehabilitation services differently, whether they are paying out-of-pocket for treatments, and whether there are differences in their ability to return to work.
• Testing strategies to improve the representation of women in stroke research.

McMaster University

Heart-related conditions are among the leading causes of death and serious illness among pregnant individuals in most countries. At least 50% of these deaths and serious illnesses are preventable. Dr. D'Souza's team will build a large network of clinicians, researchers, social scientists, economists and persons with lived experience from across Canada to work together towards reducing heart-related deaths and serious illness during and after pregnancy. They will:

• Review all serious pregnancy-related cardiovascular events in Canada by gathering and sharing information in a sensitive and respectful way to learn how to prevent more deaths in the future.
• Assess pregnant people with heart conditions after their pregnancies to ensure that they recover fully, so that they have fewer complications later in life.
• Find ways for pregnant people with heart valve disease to receive specialized care when needed, to improve outcomes for them and their babies.