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What Two Decades As A Cardiac Nurse Taught Me About Women’s Health

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When I started my nursing career more than two decades ago, I felt nothing but excitement.
I chose nursing because I wanted to help people heal — to make a meaningful impact on their lives, their health, and their futures. I imagined a system where I’d have the time, space, and support to truly care for patients in the way they deserved.

But it didn’t take long to realize that the healthcare system wasn’t built for the kind of care I wanted to give.
And for women especially, that gap came with serious consequences.

The Reality I Saw at the Bedside

During my years in cardiac care, one pattern showed up again and again: women weren’t being taken seriously.

Their symptoms were vague.
Their tests looked “normal.”
Or they were told it was stress, anxiety, aging, or hormones.

But here’s what no one talks about:
Women often second-guess themselves long before a doctor does.
They don’t want to be dramatic.
They don’t want to inconvenience anyone.
They don’t want to be a burden.

So they explain away symptoms.
They push through warning signs.
They put everyone else first — until their body forces them to stop.

I cared for countless women who arrived in the cardiac unit terrified, confused, and wondering how things escalated so quickly.
And the heartbreaking truth? Many of these events were preventable.

What Two Decades in Cardiac Nursing Taught Me

Working at the bedside gave me a front-row seat to the realities of women’s health — not the textbook version, but the real, lived experience.

Here’s what I learned:

  • Women’s symptoms are often subtle. They don’t always present with the “classic” chest pain.
  • Their concerns are frequently minimized or dismissed. Sometimes by providers, but often by the women themselves.
  • Our healthcare system is built for emergencies — not prevention. It reacts; it rarely anticipates.
  • Hormones, stress, sleep, metabolism, and cardiovascular risk are deeply connected. But the system treats them as separate issues.
  • By the time testing catches up, disease has often been brewing for years.

I started my career wanting to help people heal.
But at the bedside, I realized I was often meeting women far too late.

Why I Became a Naturopathic Doctor

After 21 years in acute cardiac care, I knew I needed to shift into a role where I could make a different kind of impact — one that focused on prevention, connection, and comprehensive care.

Becoming a naturopathic doctor allowed me to:

  • Spend the time women deserve
  • Connect the dots between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and heart health
  • Take concerns seriously before they escalate
  • Work proactively during the menopause transition, when risk begins to rise
  • Help women understand what their bodies are saying, rather than dismissing symptoms as “normal”

It gave me the ability to actually practice the kind of medicine I believed in when I first stepped onto the hospital floor as a new nurse.

What Women Deserve — and Why My Mission Is So Bold

Women deserve to be heard.
They deserve symptoms that are taken seriously.
They deserve care that looks at the whole picture, not isolated parts.

My mission is bold:
Not only to help remove heart disease from the top of the list of what kills women —
but to help women feel vital, confident, supported, and deeply connected to their health again.

I want women to feel empowered instead of overwhelmed.
Prepared instead of fearful.
In control instead of confused.

Because when women have the right knowledge and the right care, everything changes.

A New Chapter for Women’s Health

Looking back, those 21 years at the bedside shaped everything I do today.
They taught me what’s missing in women’s healthcare — and what’s possible when women finally get the care they deserve.

Today, my work is about rewriting the story:
Helping women stay heart strong, hormonally balanced, and confident in their bodies through every chapter of midlife and beyond.

Because women’s health deserves better.
And I’m here to make sure they get it.

 

Women who achieve the most benefit and feel their best through perimenopause and beyond are those that have support and a plan that is evidence-based and tailored to their goals and values. If you are looking for support you can trust reach out to book a free consult today!

 

Disclaimer: The information presented on this site does not constitute medical advice and does not replace the advice from your doctor. Always consult a qualified health care professional when changing or beginning a new health plan.

 

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Understanding Hot Flashes in Menopause and How to Get Relief

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Menopause can feel like your body’s having its own spontaneous combustion party, and guess what? You’re the guest of honor! Yes, I’m talking about those delightful hot flashes that can turn a perfectly normal day into a sweltering sauna session.

Why do hot flashes happen?

Hot flashes and night sweats are what are often referred to as vasomotor symptoms, because it impacts the blood vessels. Your hypothalamus located in the centre of your brain is in charge of regulating your body temperature. When estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and are not activating the hypothalamus normally, the brain has a difficult time regulating body temperature correctly. Women feel a sudden surge of heat like your internal thermostat is set to inferno, blood vessels dilate, you feel flushed, you might experience racing heart, and then followed up with drenching perspiration. All of this is your body’s attempt to cool you down. And of course, this often happens at the most inconvenient times: Standing in line at the grocery store, at work as you give a presentation to your team, or in the middle of the night causing you to thrash and tear off your clothes and open up all the windows even in the dead of winter.

About 75% of women experience these vasomotor symptoms, and for some they may only be a little bothersome or annoying, and for others they can be debilitating. If menopause symptoms have you feeling like you're trapped in a sauna you didn't sign up for, don't go it alone. Click here to book a consultation and get the support you deserve!

Many women will experience hot flashes for 6 months or up to 2 years but some will last a long time, as long as 10 years! Some women experience them even over 70 from time to time. We can’t predict exactly when they’ll show up or decide to pack up and leave.

Treatment options

If these hot flashes (and other menopausal symptoms) are crashing your life party, it's time to chat with a menopause-informed health care provider. There are plenty of ways to manage the symptoms and get back to feeling more like yourself:

  1. Diet. Women who eat a Mediterrananean diet have less frequent and less intense vasomotor symptoms. This pattern of eating also helps to protect your heart and brain which need extra love post-menopause. There are also certain types of foods that are high in plant estrogens (phytoestrogens) that can be helpful to alleviate hot flashes, such as those found in soy and flax seeds.
  2. Exercise. Exercise can also help to reduce frequency of hot flashes by possibly impacting the body’s thermoregulatory response (ability to control body temperature and be less sensitive to temperature swings). Not only that, exercise slows down brain aging, supports bone health, body composition and protects the heart.
  3. Stress reduction. Stress is like pouring gasoline on your internal fire. High cortisol can mess with your estrogen and can worsen vasomotor symptoms. When we are in a highly stressed state, we are often not prioritizing nutrition and movement further worsening hot flashes, and damaging our health.
  4. Herbal remedies. While there is less evidence for using herbal supplements for hot flashes (and other symptoms of menopause), it can still be a viable option for many women, especially if MHT is not a suitable option or for those who value supporting their health more naturally. It is important to note that this route does require some perseverance as it can take up to 12 weeks to see an impact.
  5. Menopause hormone therapy (MHT). This is the heavyweight champion when it comes to evidence-based solutions for hot flashes. For most women this is a very safe and effective option, but it is important to note that there are some risks you need to be informed of and that there is a window of opportunity when women will glean the most benefit with the least amount of risk.
  6. Antidepressants. For women who prefer not to take hormones or cannot take hormones safely, a particular type of anti-depressant called selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been found to be effective in treating hot flashes in women who don’t have depression.

It is important to get expert guidance on a menopause treatment plan to ensure safety and prevent potential interactions with your medications or any existing medical conditions.

Women who achieve the most benefit and feel their best through perimenopause and beyond are those that have support and a plan that is evidence-based and tailored to their goals and values. If you are looking for support you can trust reach out to book a free consult today!

 

Disclaimer: The information presented on this site does not constitute medical advice and does not replace the advice from your doctor. Always consult a qualified health care professional when changing or beginning a new health plan.

 

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Navigating the 10-Year Window for Menopause Hormone Therapy: What Women Need to Know

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Menopause is a significant phase in a woman's life, marking the end of her reproductive years and bringing about a range of physical and emotional changes. Women can experience a vast array of symptoms that begin before the cessation of her period, while others may have only a few, these include: hot flashes and night sweats, depression, anxiety, irritability and rage, low libido, vaginal dryness and atrophy, new onset or increasing frequency of headaches, brain fog, mid-section weight gain, joint pain, and insomnia. One common approach to managing the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, is hormone therapy (HT). However, the decision to use hormone therapy is nuanced, and research has highlighted the importance of a "10-year window" for initiating this treatment.

Understanding Menopause and Hormone Therapy

Menopause is reached once a women reaches 12 months without a period, and typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can happen earlier or later (Read my blog on what women need to know about early menopause). However, symptoms can begin up to 10 years prior to this. During this time, the ovaries reduce their production of estrogen and progesterone, leading to the cessation of menstrual periods. These hormonal changes can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, that can significantly impact a woman's quality of life.

Hormone therapy, which involves the administration of estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone, can alleviate many of these symptoms. It can also help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures and cardiovascular disease. However, hormone therapy is not without risks, and its use has been the subject of extensive research and debate.

The 10-Year Window

The "10-year window" refers to the period within ten years of the onset of menopause during which initiating hormone therapy is considered most beneficial and carries fewer risks. This concept emerged from studies indicating that starting hormone therapy closer to the time of menopause onset might offer cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of certain adverse effects compared to starting it later. Unfortunately, many women are uninformed of this window of opportunity, and by the time they are ready to explore hormone therapy, it can be too late for many women.

Benefits of Early Initiation

  1. Symptom Relief: When women struggle with symptoms, it makes it difficult to do the things you need to in order to reduce the risk of disease later in life such as good nutrition and exercise habits. Starting hormone therapy within the first ten years of menopause can provide effective relief from vasomotor symptoms (such as hot flashes and night sweats) and genitourinary symptoms, and improve overall quality of life so you can continue to engage in those health promoting habits.
  2. Bone Health: Early initiation of hormone therapy can help maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, which are more common in postmenopausal women. Hip fractures are a leading of cause of disability for women, causing them to depend on others.
  3. Cardiovascular Health: Initiating hormone therapy closer to menopause has a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels, potentially lowering the risk of heart disease.

Risks and Considerations

While the 10-year window offers potential benefits, hormone therapy is not suitable for everyone. It's important to consider the following risks:

  1. Breast Cancer: Long-term use of combined estrogen-progestogen therapy has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. But this risk is small and tends to be after 5 years of use. The risk appears to be lower with estrogen-only therapy. And it’s important to note that a family history of breast cancer is NOT a contraindication for hormone therapy
  2. Blood Clots and Stroke: Hormone therapy, particularly when taken orally, can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. The risk is generally lower for younger women and those who start therapy closer to the onset of menopause. Remember, there are alternative routes of administration such as a gel or patch that pose less risk and may be a great option for you.
  3. Individual Health Factors: Personal and family medical history, including a history of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or liver disease, can influence the decision to use hormone therapy.

Making an Informed Decision

The decision to start hormone therapy should be made on an individual basis. This is a nuanced discussion with your healthcare provider. Factors to consider include the severity of menopausal symptoms, personal health risks, and the timing relative to menopause onset.

The 10-year window for menopause hormone therapy offers a strategic timeframe during which the benefits of symptom relief and potential cardiovascular protection may outweigh the risks for many women. By working closely with a menopause-informed healthcare provider, you can be empowered to make the choices that best support your health, values and well-being during the menopausal transition and beyond. Not every woman is a candidate for hormone therapy, but EVERY WOMAN deserves a discussion and to be aware of alternative treatment options.

 

Disclaimer: The information presented on this site does not constitute medical advice and does not replace the advice from your doctor. Always consult a qualified health care professional when changing or beginning a new health plan.

 

Click the link below to discover the key lab tests and assessments for menopausal women, or book your FREE Discovery Call Now.

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Two Tests You Need to Ask For if You Are Prescribed a Statin

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Like any drug treatment (and even natural treatments) there are risks, but there are also benefits. Naturally our human brains tend to focus more on the negative - we are wired this way - but you can't look at one side without consideration for the other. The class of medication called statins which include the commonly known Lipitor/atorvastatin, or Crestor/rosuvastatin are one of the most prescribed classes of medications. I see patients all the time on these medication. We know those who benefit the most are those who have had a heart attack or who are at high risk for one. The benefits of statins go beyond total cholesterol and LDL reduction - they support the health of the artery lining (endothelium), support nitric oxide important for the relaxation of the arteries, act as an antioxidant and help to reduce inflammation. Not bad eh?

For those who have no known cardiovascular disease and are at a low risk for a heart attack, I like to use a more natural approach to reducing cholesterol where possible however, sometimes the best approach is a cholesterol lowering drug. Part of my role in working with patients is discussing all treatment options and advocating for the best approach for them. Not all cholesterol lowering medications or statins are the same and may pose different risk profiles. Sometimes it’s necessary to look at each person’s unique risk profile and chose an approach that will have the most benefit with the least amount of harm. What’s more is that if you need to be on a drug, we can create a strategy to reduce your risk of side effects. Two tests that help in assessing a patient’s potential for statin-related side-effects are vitamin D and insulin.

Vitamin D

Low serum vitamin levels have been associated with statin related muscle pain, and as a result, low adherence. Low serum vitamin D itself can contribute to muscle pain and so the addition of a stain medication such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) or rosuvastatin (Crestor) may increase the susceptibility of those already at risk, particularly if your serum vitamin D level is under 75nmol/L.[1]

Insulin

It is known that those who use statins are at an increased risk for new-onset diabetes than non-statin users, and seems to have a bigger impact the higher the dose and the longer duration of use. It is an even bigger concern for those who have any of the risk factors for diabetes (metabolic syndrome, obesity, impaired fasting glucose, HbA1C >6 percent).[2] [3] This does not mean that statins should be avoided. Rather an assessment of individualized risk should be done prior to making an informed decision about the use of statin, which statin to use and how to prevent future diabetes risk. It is known that elevated insulin is an early indication of metabolic dysfunction and diabetes risk and can precede changes in fasting glucose and HbA1C by years.

Any treatment plan, whether it includes pharmaceuticals or natural alternatives to drug therapy should be done with consideration of a patient’s unique risk factors. My approach when creating any heart health plan with patients involves not just targeting a few numbers in a lipid panel but involves a look at your totality of risk factors in order to achieve the best outcome for you.

[1] Michalska-Kasiczak, M. et al. Analysis of vitamin D levels in patients with and without statin-associated myalgia — A systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 studies with 2420 patients. International Journal of Cardiology. 2015. 178: 111-116.

[2] Jung Ko, M et al. Time‐ and Dose‐Dependent Association of Statin Use With Risk of Clinically Relevant New‐Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Prevention: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2019. Vol 8 (8).

[3] Ridker PM, Pradhan A, MacFadyen JG, Libby P, Glynn RJ. Cardiovascular benefits and diabetes risks of statin therapy in primary prevention: an analysis from the JUPITER trial. Lancet. 2012;380(9841):565-571.

 

Disclaimer: The information presented on this site does not constitute medical advice and does not replace the advice from your doctor. Always consult a qualified health care professional when changing or beginning a new health plan.

 

Click the link below to learn 5 critical ways to reduce your risk of a heart attack in just 5 days. And it's FREE! or book your FREE Discovery Call Now.

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Prevent Colds and Flus with 6 Simple Strategies

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The weather has been beautiful but don’t let that fool you, cold and flu season will be in full swing soon enough. Are you protecting yourself? Here are some simple ways to keep your defenses strong during the upcoming months:

1. TEAS: Nutritive teas are full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to keep your defenses high as well as an easy way to keep your fluid intake up to support your detoxification systems.

  • ​Rose hips—full of that powerful antioxidant vitamin C
  • Stinging nettle—contains lots of vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin C, just to name a few. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties making it good for allergies, arthritis, and skin conditions such as eczema
  • Elderberry— has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects, making them popular for strengthening the immune system

2. SUPPORT YOUR GUT HEALTH: about 80% of your immune system is in your gut so it is important to take care of this defense system on a daily basis. Incorporate pre- and probiotic foods on a daily basis

  • Prebiotic foods—jerusalem artichoke, hemp seeds, avocado, flax seeds, dandelion greens, garlic, onion, leeks, asparagus
  • Probiotic foods—kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented vegetables, miso, yogurt

3. EXERCISE: Exercise can boost your immune system by increasing your circulation and relieving stress. Increased circulation allows antibodies to travel throughout your bloodstream faster, making it easier for your immune system to fight off an illness. Get at least 30 minutes daily of movement and the best exercise is the one that you will stick with!

4. MANAGE STRESS: It’s something we cannot avoid but we can do small things to help manage it. Chronic sleep deprivation can significantly impair our immune system

  • Take a 5 minute time out and take some deep breaths. Try exhaling twice as long as inhaling to engage that parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”)
  • Left nostril breathing is great for those who are stressed and anxious, it will help you calm right down. It’s also great for those who wake in the night with a racing mind.

Here is a 3 minute youtube video to show you how https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psuV0G3aLQk

5. SLEEP: at least 7-9 hours nightly and make sure you practice good sleep hygiene habits: sleeping in a dark and quiet room, avoid screen time at least 1 hour before bed (tablets, phones, computer, TV), avoid caffeine in the afternoon. The half life of caffeine is 4-6 hours so if you have a small cup of coffee with about 200mg of caffeine in it at 2pm then at 6pm you have 100mg and at bedtime you will still have 50mg of caffeine in your system which can affect the quality of your sleep.

6. HYDROTHERAPY: Water is extremely healing and a simple trick you can do is hot and cold showers. I know it doesn't sound fun but your body will get used to it. At the end of your shower do a short alternation of hot and cold. As your body adapts you can increase the intensity. Just alternative 3-5 times in a 3:1 ratio of hot to cold ie: 30 seconds of hot and 10 seconds of cold, and be sure to end on cold. The alternating temperatures help to improve your circulation and therefore help to get those germ fighters around your body to ward off any attackers. You will also feel energized for your day!

Remember, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or on certain medications such as blood pressure, blood thinners or diuretic pills, some herbs may not be safe. Always consult your naturopathic doctor for the safest and best advice for YOU.

Click the link below to learn 5 critical ways to reduce your risk of a heart attack in just 5 days. And it's FREE! or book your FREE Discovery Call Now.

Join The FREE Mini-Course
Book A Free Discovery Call

 

Disclaimer: The information presented on this site does not constitute medical advice and does not replace the advice from your doctor. Always consult a qualified health care professional when changing or beginning a new health plan.