February’s Message
As February ends, we reflect on the meaning of American Heart Month as something more than a yearly observance. Heart disease is an important topic for all Americans. According to the American Heart Association’s late-January 2025 report, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, with someone in the US dying of cardiovascular disease about every 34 seconds. And, while numbers continue to rise, most important for us at The PPP is awareness of congenital heart disease (CHD) in children. This is closer to our hearts and a daily observance. February was also Black History Month. And while we celebrate our communities of color, we also acknowledge that CHD knows no boundaries nor barriers, affecting adults and children of all genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. Research continues to highlight this troubling reality: Children from low-socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to suffer from CHD and face greater barriers to care.
It is fitting that our organization’s first steps be during a month that both serves as a national reminder for heart health and of the power of minority voice. In starting the year and our first year, we wish to push the stories of our youngest heart warriors to the forefront and always fight for heart-health equity.
In February, we took our first steps toward connecting with the heart-health community, engaging with pediatric heart stories, digesting new research, and growing awareness about pediatric pacemakers and CHD through our social media platforms. Most of all, we introduced ourselves, our values, and our founding story. And, we hope that our followers will share their stories with us as our organization grows. We are grateful for all your continued support and participation, and by engaging closer, we hope we can strengthen our sense of community with The PPP.
February was also a month of happy Heart News. One story is of newborn Mikey, who is thriving after two months with the world’s smallest pacemaker — the size of a vitamin— and 1 of 51 babies in the United States with the MicraTM pacemaker. Pediatric cardiologists at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital implanted the pacemaker mid-December after he was born in December with congenital heart block. Since the operation, he has been home with his mother, Sarah, and two little brothers. Outside the US, in Peru, teams at Good Hope Adventist Clinic also implanted the first leadless pacemaker in South America for a 9-year-old girl, setting a precedent for less-invasive procedures in pacemaker care for Latin American heart patients and better recovery. We reiterate: We are not a medical site—we are a hub, a community, and a place where little hearts find their beat. But, we remain committed to bringing you the latest in pacemaker-for-pediatrics –“pediatric pacemaker” – news and supporting and uplifting the health stories of children with pacemakers and their supporters.
This month, March, by presidential proclamation, is Women’s History Month. It brings us International Women’s Day. Together, we have an opportunity to focus on women’s health. Especially for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy at some time in their lifetime: Early awareness and proactive care can make all the difference in their (future) child’s life. Research shows that maternal health is key, with conditions like diabetes and hypertension playing a role in congenital heart conditions. This month especially, when we all may be more prone to hearing stories of, about and for women, we encourage mothers and our future mothers to prioritize their heart health.
Because strong hearts build strong futures.
The PPP also advocates for better access to prenatal and pediatric cardiac care so that all children—regardless of their circumstances— have the opportunity for a healthy heart and a full life.
If you have insights, stories, or research to share, we welcome your voice! Join us on our social media platforms or email us at [email protected] to be part of our mission. We are also openly accepting Triumphs and Tributes for our little heart warriors. Check out our Community page for more information.
We’re glad you found us! Circle back next month to read the latest in our Heart News segment and for more updates from the team.
Until next time, and with heart,
The PPP
January Message
Welcome to Heart News, one of your destinations for news about heart matters! Hosted here will be updates in the ongoing efforts within the pediatric cardiology community. Since the majority of updates and advances in the pacemaker field occur among adults before trickling to children, the latest in adult pacemaker care will also be featured here.
We emphasize again that we are not a medical site. Rather, we are a warehouse or hub of pacemaker information, focusing on pediatrics. We aim to build community within and provide a voice for this quiet community. For this reason, we call on you to share what you know. Email us at [email protected] to share in our effort!
At this time, we draw your attention to a few current stories in the news relating to pacemakers.
First, NYU Winthrop Hospital successfully announced the implementation of the first leadless pacemaker. While this surgery is not available for everyone, it does indicate progress in the pacemaker field.
Second, Children’s Hospital Colorado recently discovered that 3D echocardiograms are far more accurate for pacemaker placement. This innovation will benefit children and adults with finding suitable locations for their pacemaker.
Third, Children’s Hospital Boston is searching for additional ways to reduce the cost of these pacemaker surgeries on children’s families. Since these can be major surgeries that are a large financial burden, it’s encouraging to see hospitals recognize this and workshop solutions to those in need. Additional advances can be seen in Sacramento, as Dr. Dan Cortez successfully implanted the smallest pacemaker ever, into the smallest patient to ever receive one. This advancement reveals an alternative to major surgery, where the newly developed, tiny pacemaker can be inserted and absorbed through only a small incision.
Finally, the Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh successfully implanted its first leadless pacemaker. While more research remains into when and how these leadless pacemakers can be utilized, it does demonstrate a tremendous advancement in medical technology for the medical community. Hopefully, these selected recent heart-related news matters will give you hope and optimism toward the future of heart care.
Again, thank you for visiting this page and be sure to circle back, as we’ll continue to update this section regularly. Please feel free to check out our other pages for more information about “pediatric” pacemakers, including our inspirational Triumphs and Tributes page to hear from patients and caregivers! Lastly, don’t forget to follow us on our social media channels, too: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Because: This is where little hearts find their beat.
Until next time, and with heart,
The PPP