CHDFNigeria
In November 2025, the global cardiovascular community gathered for the Global Heart Hub Unite Summit, an international event that brought together clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, and policy leaders committed to improving cardiovascular health worldwide.
The Congenital Heart Disease Foundation of Nigeria (CHDFNigeria) was represented by our Founder and Executive Director, Christianah Oyeleye, who attended the summit to engage in global conversations on cardiovascular advocacy, equity in care, and the urgent need to address women’s heart health.
The summit served as a powerful platform for collaboration, learning, and strengthening the voices of patient organizations working to improve cardiovascular outcomes around the world.
Building Connections Before the Summit
The event began with a pre-summit networking dinner, where participants had the opportunity to connect in an informal setting. The evening created space for advocates, healthcare professionals, and leaders in the cardiovascular community to share experiences, discuss ongoing initiatives, and build new partnerships.
During the dinner, Christianah Oyeleye connected with fellow advocates and organizations, including representatives from Heart of Valour and Heart Sistas, and reconnected with Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis, a passionate advocate for women’s heart health. She also engaged with Tanya Hall, who facilitated introductions to Neil Johnson, President of Global Heart Hub, as well as David Lloyd, President-Elect of the Australian Heart Foundation. These conversations opened doors for deeper collaboration and strengthened CHDFNigeria’s engagement within the global cardiovascular advocacy network.
Spotlight on Women’s Cardiovascular Health
The summit officially opened with a welcome address by Neil Johnson, President of Global Heart Hub, who reflected on the growth of the Unite Summit over the years and emphasized a critical global issue: women’s cardiovascular health remains significantly underreported, underdiagnosed, and undertreated.
The opening keynote address was delivered by renowned cardiologist, Professor Martha Gulati, who spoke on the theme “Women and Cardiovascular Disease: An Underserved Population and the Cost of Silence.” Her presentation highlighted how women’s heart health has historically been overlooked in research, clinical care, and public health discussions. She emphasised that many opportunities to identify and treat cardiovascular risk in women are often missed, particularly during key life stages such as pregnancy and menopause.
The consequences of this gap are significant, ranging from increased healthcare costs and preventable hospital admissions to avoidable loss of life.
Understanding the Unique Risks Women Face
Throughout the summit, speakers explored the sex-specific differences in cardiovascular disease and the many social factors that influence women’s health outcomes. Experts discussed how women experience different cardiovascular risks across various stages of life, including:
- Puberty and hormonal changes
- Pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications
- Reproductive health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Menopause and aging
Speakers also highlighted how culture, race, and socioeconomic conditions can shape access to care and influence health outcomes. Barriers such as language differences, cultural beliefs, gender roles, and stigma often prevent women from seeking or receiving appropriate cardiovascular care. Addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive interventions and inclusive research that reflects diverse populations worldwide.
Menopause and the “Fourth Trimester” of Women’s Health
One of the sessions focused specifically on menopause and cardiovascular health, often referred to as the “fourth trimester” of a woman’s life. Experts discussed how menopause can increase the risk of several health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. The session emphasised the importance of appropriate medical guidance and treatment options, including hormone replacement therapy when clinically indicated.
These discussions reinforced the importance of early awareness, preventive care, and patient education in protecting women’s long-term heart health.
The Role of Advocacy and Patient Organisations
Another important focus of the summit was the role of patient advocacy organisations in driving change. Advocacy groups from different regions shared their experiences, highlighting both successes and common challenges in raising awareness, supporting patients, and influencing healthcare systems.
For organisations like CHDFNigeria, these conversations reaffirmed the importance of building strong patient communities and ensuring that the voices of patients and families are included in healthcare decision-making.
Communication, Policy, and the Path Forward
The second day of the summit focused on advancing the conversation toward practical solutions and policy change. One session addressed the challenges of communicating women’s health issues effectively. Speakers, including Christianah Oyeleye, shared insights from their regions and emphasised the importance of empowering women to speak openly about their health concerns.
Discussions also highlighted that healthcare providers must learn to recognise women’s symptoms beyond emotional expression and ensure that women’s concerns are taken seriously in clinical settings. Other sessions explored strategies for developing equity-focused health policies and strengthening advocacy efforts to improve cardiovascular outcomes for women globally.
A Shared Commitment to Change
The summit concluded with closing remarks from Neil Johnson, who highlighted the Global Heart Hub’s Her Last Search campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness on women’s heart health and ensuring that women receive timely diagnosis and treatment.
For CHDFNigeria, participating in the Unite Summit reinforced the importance of global collaboration in tackling cardiovascular disease. As we connected with international advocates, shared experiences, and learned from global experts, we continue to strengthen our commitment to raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and advocating for better cardiovascular care in Nigeria and beyond.
Through partnership and advocacy, we can move closer to a future where no heart condition is ignored, and every patient receives the care they deserve.
