New research chair at St. Boniface Hospital aims to improve women's heart health

A Winnipeg cardiologist has been appointed to a new research chair aimed at improving how heart disease is studied and treated in women. Dr. Shelley Zieroth will serve as the Heart & Stroke, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation and Research Manitoba Chair in Women’s Clinical Heart Health Research, as announced Monday by the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

In her new role, Zieroth will provide leadership in developing a Women's Heart Care program in Manitoba, advancing research, integrating best practices into clinical care, and fostering collaboration with researchers across Canada and around the world, according to Classic107.

The creation of the chair comes amid growing recognition that heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death among women, while women have historically been underrepresented in cardiovascular research. Zieroth emphasized the need to refocus from male-centric research, stating, as reported by Global News, that "Two-thirds of clinical research in cardiovascular disease, thus far, has focused on men. It’s time to change that and focus on women’s hearts, and not only about the physiology, but also how we deliver that care and how we follow evidence-based care to improve their heart outcomes."

Zieroth brings years of cardiology experience

Zieroth joined the Section of Cardiology at St. Boniface Hospital as Director of Heart Function Clinics in 2006. She is currently a clinician-scientist and professor in the College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and cross-appointed to the Department of Pathophysiology and Pathology at the University of Manitoba, as detailed by Classic107. Her research focus includes heart failure and cardio-kidney-metabolic interactions, according to the hospital foundation.

After earning her medical degree and completing specialty training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the University of Manitoba, Zieroth pursued a postdoctoral clinical fellowship in Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation at Toronto General Hospital, as reported by Classic107.

Zieroth expressed honor about the appointment, saying: "I am honoured to be appointed to this Chair position and to continue advancing research that addresses the unique cardiovascular health needs of women. Through collaboration, innovation and research excellence, we have an opportunity to improve care and outcomes for women living with heart disease today and for generations to come," as quoted by Classic107.

Support from hospital leadership

Karen Fowler, president and CEO at the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, expressed gratitude for the partnership, saying: "Her leadership will help accelerate discoveries that improve cardiac outcomes for women and have a lasting impact – not only here in Manitoba, but beyond," as reported by Global News. She described Zieroth as "a champion for women’s heart care."

Nicole Aminot, the hospital's CEO, commented on the need for a different scientific lens for women's heart health, noting that symptoms of a heart attack differ in women, according to Global News.

Vision for the future

Zieroth said the role allows her to take work "to a new level" and protect women from one of the leading causes of premature death. The newly created position comes with research funding. Zieroth said she hopes to use those funds, as well as grants, to unify and further this work at the hospital.

"As a clinician-scientist, I am able to bridge the worlds of bedside care, clinical trials and translational science. Together, with my many colleagues at St. Boniface Hospital, we have begun to build the foundation for a truly integrated women’s heart health research initiative here in Manitoba," she said, as quoted by Global News.

"My vision for this chair is to build a women’s heart care clinic and research initiative at St. Boniface as a shared institutional platform," she continued, noting the years-long plan she and her colleagues have been developing.

Global News reported that Zieroth emphasized the need to refocus from male-centric research, stating: "It’s time to change that."