What is the CorDiFio Project?
CorDiFio is a social enterprise with a powerful mission: to empower women (and men) through early screening, education, and prevention of heart disease. Born from a personal tragedy—when Petronela lost her mom Fio to a misdiagnosis—this project aims to stop similar heartbreaks from happening to others. The name itself, CorDiFio, means “Heart of Fio” in Italian, symbolizing a heartfelt commitment to change. At its core, CorDiFio is developing a digital health platform designed to help women take control of their heart health by enabling informed conversations with their doctors and speeding up critical decision-making. This is more than just a tool; it’s a global movement to advance health equity through diversity and inclusion.
The Main Benefit: Making Women’s Hearts Beat Longer
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women worldwide, and CorDiFio is tackling this head-on. Here are some eye-opening facts that highlight why this project matters:
- 1 out of every 3 deaths each year is due to heart disease.
- Women are 13 times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer.
- 50% of women who get a heart attack are misdiagnosed, often labeled with stress or anxiety instead.
- 30-50% of women diagnosed with depression may actually be misdiagnosed, as anxiety can mask heart disease symptoms.
- Young women are more likely to die following a heart attack than young men.
CorDiFio envisions a world where 80% of heart diseases and strokes are prevented because they were caught early. Imagine that—early detection saving lives, empowering women to advocate for themselves, and making misdiagnosis a thing of the past.
Why Women’s Heart Health Needs Special Attention
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in women globally, yet women continue to be under-diagnosed and under-treated. This isn’t just about biology—it’s about awareness, or the lack of it, among both patients and doctors. The medical community is slowly realizing that their understanding of women’s heart health has been incomplete, sometimes even incorrect. But waiting for the system to catch up isn’t an option. Women need to become their own advocates, recognizing early warning signs and pushing for the care they deserve.
How CorDiFio’s Digital Platform Works
The heart of CorDiFio’s approach is a user-friendly, secure digital health tracker. It’s designed to put health data back into the hands of the individual, creating a holistic picture of one’s health while highlighting any heart risks. The platform guides users through understanding their health patterns, suggests important questions to ask their doctors, and helps prepare a comprehensive health report. This way, conversations with healthcare providers become more productive, reducing the chances of misdiagnosis and ensuring timely, accurate care.
Empowering Conversations and Changing Healthcare Dynamics
One of the biggest challenges women face is being heard and taken seriously when they report symptoms. CorDiFio’s platform helps change that dynamic by equipping women with the knowledge and tools to have better conversations with their doctors. Being prepared with detailed health information means avoiding common pitfalls like being dismissed or misdiagnosed with anxiety or stress. It’s about shifting the power balance—making health a visible priority and ensuring that every heartbeat counts.
Project Impact: Advancing Health Equity and Sustainability
- Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Looking Ahead: A Future Where Heart Health is Everyone’s Priority
CorDiFio is more than just a project—it’s a call to action. It’s about making health data accessible, understandable, and actionable. It’s about breaking down barriers in healthcare and ensuring that women and minorities receive the attention and care they deserve. With a focus on sex and gender-centric considerations, CorDiFio is paving the way for a future where misdiagnosis is rare, prevention is prioritized, and hearts keep beating longer. The journey is ongoing, and every step forward brings us closer to a world where health equity isn’t just an ideal—it’s a reality.
