A landmark $5-million donation has enabled the creation of a first-of-its-kind cardiovascular clinic for women in Calgary, providing specialized care for those across southern Alberta. The Harold and Betty Allsopp Women's Cardiovascular Health Clinic, located at South Health Campus, is designed to support education, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease in women.
Paul Rossmann, president and CEO of the Calgary Health Foundation, emphasized the critical need for such a facility. 'Women don't experience the same symptoms as men, so heart disease in women is under-recognized,' he said. The donation, made following a multi-year fundraising campaign in partnership with Alberta Health Services, aims to address this gap in healthcare.
A First for Women's Heart Health in Western Canada
While other women's cardiovascular clinics exist in Canada, Rossmann noted that 'nothing like this' is available in Western Canada. The clinic will be staffed by specialists trained specifically in women's cardiac health, ensuring cases are triaged effectively and high-risk women receive timely care.
Unlike the dramatic chest pain often depicted on television, women's heart attack symptoms can be subtle, such as indigestion or sweating. Rossmann highlighted that women are less likely to call 911 or be diagnosed correctly when they seek emergency care. The clinic will also offer rehabilitation services and educational programs to help women recognize how heart disease manifests differently in them.
Comprehensive Care and Research
Dr. Roopinder Sandhu, a cardiac electrophysiologist and director of the clinic, outlined its multidisciplinary approach. 'The clinic will deliver team-based cardiovascular care addressing conditions more prevalent in or disproportionately affecting women,' she said. It will also provide targeted training for front-line physicians to improve recognition of risk factors and symptoms, and engage in cutting-edge research on testing and treatment for women's cardiovascular health.
Sandhu added that the clinic will develop coordinated care pathways with community cardiologists, primary care providers, emergency departments, and other interdisciplinary partners.
Expansion of Cardiac Care in Calgary
The funding serves as a seed investment for the clinic's first three years of operation. Rossmann expressed confidence that the clinic's promising results will lead to long-term funding from Alberta Health Services. This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the unique cardiovascular needs of women in the region.
