Brianna D. Harris-Henderson is a Postal Worker, Patient Advocate, Blogger, Birth Doula, Grant Writer, and National Speaker under the American College Of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). She raises PPCM Awareness through her non-profit LETSTALKPPCM. The organization captures the stories of countless women impacted by pregnancy-induced heart failure across the nation. As an African-American woman, she also works to address the systematic racism many expecting mothers face. Brianna experienced postpartum hemorrhage and was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), an often unrecognized and misdiagnosed type of heart failure which occurs during pregnancy or up to 6 months postpartum. The condition weakens the heart muscle and causes the heart to become enlarged. As a result, the heart can't pump blood properly to the rest of the body. Three years before she developed the condition, her older sister (Crystal) went into sudden death six months after giving birth. Due to doctors not being aware of this disease, Crystal passed away 6 months after the birth of her second child. Brianna's story has been shared numerous times through the media, and across the nation. She's been a part of NBC News, Baylor Scott & White, The Press Association in London, UK, ACOG, CDC, Texas Department Health & Human Services, and many other affiliated organizations. She works alongside many physicians nationwide, informing them on PPCM and how to better care for pregnant women with cardiovascular disease. Brianna is now considered fully recovered from Peripartum Cardiomyopathy but continues to spread awareness for other women like herself, her late sister, and healthcare.
