One woman’s story.
Every woman’s reminder.
On the afternoon of February 21, 2024, Vicki Mascareño Nelson was having a heart attack in her kitchen and didn't know it. Her brain searched its file drawers for an explanation and found nothing useful. Her left arm didn't hurt, so she didn’t think it could be a heart attack. Her jaw pain was intense. She'd just eaten fancy, infused chocolate so she thought maybe it was an allergic reaction.
Two hours passed before she decided to have her husband drive her to the ED. At the ED, staff recognized her symptoms immediately: chest pain and jaw pain are classic signs of heart attack in women. Vicki was diagnosed with a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) (SCAD), a rare type of heart attack that mostly affects women, and later with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) (What is FMD?) and hypermobility Ehler’s Danlos (hEDS).
She spent three months in cardiac rehabilitation and two years learning everything she hadn't known. What she discovered shook her: cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, and yet only 44% of women recognize it as their greatest health threat. She had experienced exactly that gap and she wasn't willing to let other women live it too. HerSigns exists so that when your body sends signals, your file drawers are ready.
The HerSigns Journey
February 21, 2024 The event: Vicki's heart attack begins in her kitchen late afternoon.
February-April 2024 Diagnosed with SCAD, fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), and hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos (hEDS).
Spring–Summer 2024 Three months of cardiac rehabilitation.
March 2026 HerSigns founded: Vicki, her family, village of survivors, clinicians, and advocates begin the journey.
2026 Pre-launch development · Waitlist open at hersignsapp.com
HerSigns is a bilingual (English and Spanish) heart attack education and awareness app made for women. Built by a heart attack survivor, it teaches the warning signs women actually experience — not the male textbook version — gives them the words to advocate for themselves with doctors, and lets them share what they've learned with the women they love. HerSigns is an education and awareness tool, not a medical, diagnostic, or treatment app.
Why I built HerSigns
I built a quiet space for women because after my heart attack, I needed one. Social media was too overwhelming. I wanted to build a place to learn something true about your own heart, and to pass it gently to a woman you love. A place to share and take care of yourself too. Women asked for meditations. It was not something I had originally envisioned but I understand the need to reset our nervous systems. There are already so many places asking for your attention: feeds to scroll, posts to perform, numbers to chase.
HerSigns is gentle and moves at your pace.
Why you can trust HerSigns
→ Built from lived experience. Began with one woman’s story.
→ Made to empower, not to replace your doctor. Never diagnoses or treats.
→ Trust that your information and privacy are respected
→ Guided by current research. Sourced from trusted organizations.
→ Built for every woman. Available in English and Spanish.
Share
Because one fact can change everything.
Care
For ourselves first, so we can keep caring for others.
Be aware
Knowing our bodies well enough to notice.
Share. Care. Be aware.
FOUNDER IN THE PRESS