Are You Listening to Your Body's Signals?

Dr. Gladys Velarde, a cardiologist and mother of three, shares her own personal experience around maternal health. "All of my pregnancies were difficult," she says, "and some of them were extremely dangerous." Gladys' story of near-death and recovery underscores how vital it is for women—especially Black and brown women, who statistically face higher-risk pregnancies—to heed the signals their bodies are sending, and speak up when something feels wrong.

Visit OWN's Heart Health page throughout the month of February for vital updates and information about cardiac disease prevention.