Midlothian Woman Joins Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Voices of Experience Panel 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is marking International Women’s Day by recognising the strength, resilience and leadership of women living with long-term health conditions. 

Vivienne Gaynor, from Midlothian, has joined the charity’s Voices of Experience Panel to bring her years of lived experience and self management knowledge to the charity and help shape CHSS’ work, services and healthcare messaging.

Diagnosed with asthma in her 40s and later with COPD and emphysema at 50, Vivienne, now 64, had to leave her job as a mental health advocate as her own health deteriorated. 

Despite the challenges of multiple chest conditions, angina, complex medication, and dealing with the effects of a seizure caused by a medication change, she has remained committed to helping others navigate their own health journey. 

Vivenne, who lives in Loanhead, said: “I’ve always been very good at managing my own health, and that’s so important when you are living with a lung condition.  

“Covid was difficult. I was shielding for months, but I struggled with my inhaler and couldn’t see a doctor. When I was eventually able to see a doctor, I was put on to the strongest inhaler possible. I’m still on that now.  

“I have angina, too, so I take lots of medication for different things, and sometimes they can have adverse effects on me. I had a seizure a couple of years ago and the doctors thought I’d had a stroke, but it was caused by a change in medication. That seizure affected my memory quite badly, and it took a long time to recover from it.  

“I think it’s so important for people to know they can get support, particularly when they are first diagnosed and are scared about what’s happening.  

“That was part of my motivation for joining CHSS’ Voices of Experience Panel. I also want to make sure that people get the right medical and health information. It’s so easy to read things on social media that are wrong or misleading. And that can have a negative effect on someone.  

“I’ve been dealing with these chest conditions for a long time, but even I am learning all the time about the effects on my body and my health. I want to make sure everyone is properly informed.”  

Over the years, Vivienne has faced difficulties with her health however, those challenges have only reinforced her desire to support others.  

CHSS’ Voices of Experience Panel is made up of people across the country living with chest, heart, or stroke conditions who share their insights to shape services, campaigns, and information resources. Vivienne’s contribution will help strengthen the charity’s mission to make sure no life is half lived. 

In Scotland, women continue to face significant health inequalities particularly across stroke, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and Long Covid. 

Women face unique and disproportionate risks, yet the health system often does not fully account for these differences. This leads to poorer outcomes that could be prevented with targeted, gender‑aware care. 

CHSS is well‑placed to drive this change through services, advocacy, and by amplifying the voices of women with lived experience. 

CHSS is committed to supporting women’s health through our Advice Line, Health Defence Hubs, Community Healthcare Support Services, education programmes, physical activity initiatives, and women-focused peer support. All of which are allowing us to strengthen awareness and improve access to support. 

Jessica Wilson, Women’s Health Strategic Advisor at CHSS, said: “Women in Scotland are disproportionately affected by chest, heart, stroke, and Long Covid conditions. And too often, they face barriers to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery. 

“At CHSS, we’re here to change that. We support women at every stage of life through our range of services including; confidential advice and guidance through our advice line, health information resources like out HEARTe15 module about women’s heart health and Peer Support which is available across Scotland. 

“These services make a real difference. But we know there’s more to do; and that starts with listening to women.  

“We’re developing our refreshed CHSS Women’s Health Plan that will be launched in 2026, and we need women’s voices at the heart of it.” 

To join the Voices of Lived Experience Panel please go to https://ow.ly/JHA350YoGxE. 

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.