Poor awareness among women about heart disease, says IHF

New research for the Irish Heart Foundation shows poor awareness among women about their risk of heart disease.

Just half of women recognise the symptoms of heart disease and stroke.

The research shows that 28% of women have never had a heart health check.

The study was conducted among 1,056 respondents by Ipsos.

One in four women die from heart disease and stroke.

The Irish Heart Foundation said society needs to confront the embedded myth that heart disease is a male disease.

The research shows that 70% of the public believe females are more likely to contract breast cancer than heart disease and stroke – despite statistics showing they are six times more likely to die from both conditions.

Dr Angie Brown, consultant cardiologist and Medical Director with the Irish Heart Foundation, said the perception is quite different to the reality that one in four women dies from heart disease and stroke.

She said women are six times more likely to die from heart disease and stroke than they are from breast cancer, so a significant gap in awareness of the symptoms has opened up.

She also said the symptoms for women are often different from men.

The IHF is running a campaign ‘Her Heart Matters’ during September to raise awareness.