Just over half of women surveyed know heart disease symptoms
Lack of motivation, stress and a concern that health checks are too expensive are preventing women from protecting their heart health, new data shows.
The high cost of healthy foods and gym memberships are also creating barriers to living a healthy lifestyle, according to the research for the Irish Heart Foundation.
The survey of more than 1,000 women for the charity’s Her Heart Matters campaign found that only 13 per cent of females correctly think they are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease and stroke than breast cancer, despite the former conditions killing six times as many women.
Worryingly, just 51 per cent of women surveyed know the symptoms of heart disease and stroke.
“What we are asking women to do is to take stock of where they are at and understand what factors impact their heart health – even one small change can make a huge difference,” said Janis Morrissey, the Irish Heart Foundation’s director of health promotion.
The charity is concerned about the reasons women do not prioritise their heart health, with one-in-four identifying the cost of health checks as a key factor.
A similar proportion – 23 per cent – said they did not feel motivated to look after their heart health, while 21 per cent said gym memberships are too expensive and 18 per cent identified the high cost of healthy foods.
When combined, stress/anxiety and lack of time were factors for 26 per cent of women.
“Time, or lack of it, has consistently come up as a barrier, as have stress and cost of living concerns,” said Ms Morrissey.
“This appears to be fuelling a general lack of motivation, it could be a case that women feel they are juggling too much.
“Also, there remains a sizeable gap between the perceived dangers of breast cancer versus heart disease, which unfortunately is still seen as a male disease, despite all the evidence.”
The campaign, supported by the Department of Health Women’s Health Fund and the HSE, empowers women to take control of their heart health and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
The charity has a 28-day planner of heart-healthy habits, including nutrition and physical activity tips, in addition to information on the symptoms of heart disease and stroke at: irishheart.ie.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that women continue to experience poorer cardiovascular health outcomes than men. She has committed to changing that by helping to improve awareness of heart disease and stroke symptoms.
“It’s a reminder to all of us to reignite the conversation around heart health, and to encourage women to make small lifestyle changes that can make a really big difference,” she said.
Sarah O’Brien, National Lead of the HSE’s healthy eating and active living programme, said: “We’re delighted to support Her Heart Matters campaign. The very practical tips and information provided are an easy way for women to start thinking about their heart health.”
