The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre (CWHHC) at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is working to change the women’s heart health landscape in Canada.
- Every 7 minutes, one Canadian woman is diagnosed with heart disease1.
- Every 20 minutes, one Canadian woman suffers a heart attack2.
- Women are 5x more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than breast cancer3.
- Heart disease is the #1 preventable cause of death among Canadian women2.
Yet, heart disease remains under-studied, under-diagnosed, and under-treated in women.
CWHHC is dedicated exclusively to:
- Conducting women-specific heart and vascular health research.
- Enhancing care and improving outcomes in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women
- Raising awareness of heart disease in women through advocacy and education.
CWHHC delivers local and national initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for women who are at risk or living with heart and vascular diseases.
About us
Our Vision
To improve women’s cardiovascular health through leadership in care, education, and research related to cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
Strategic Goals
- Grow reach and impact of women’s cardiovascular health programs through regional and national partnerships.
- Develop leadership in women’s cardiovascular health through training, education, and certification.
- Expand funding for primary research in women’s cardiovascular health.
Visit these pages to learn more about how the CWHHC is improving outcomes for women at risk or living with heart disease through our various programs, services and initiatives.
- Program offerings
- Women’s Heart Health Research
- Women’s Heart Health Clinic
- Women’s Heart Health Team
- Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit
- Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance
The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre is funded by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.
Contact us
References
- Ms. Understood Report
- JAHA
- Statistics Canada. Deaths and mortality rate, by selected grouped causes, sex and geography - Canada. 2015. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/84f0209x/2009000/t001-eng.htm. Accessed July 22, 2025.