21-year-old shares heart failure journey online, inspires many

Chantal Pelletier, a 21-year-old from Grand Falls, N.B., is sharing her experience with end-stage heart failure on social media. Her TikTok video about living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has gained over 5 million views since January 2025. Pelletier was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy after experiencing severe symptoms in late 2024. She underwent surgery to implant an LVAD in December and is currently waiting for a heart transplant while living in a specialized residence near her hospital. Despite challenges, including medical costs and public scrutiny, Pelletier remains positive. She focuses on her health and uses social media to raise awareness about heart failure, emphasizing that a good quality of life is still possible.