Almost 30% of Irish women have never had heart check

Only half of women say they recognise the symptoms of heart disease and stroke, while 28 per cent have never had a heart health check, new research from the Irish Heart Foundation shows.

The national Ipsos [Global Market Research and Public Opinion Specialist] survey also reveals 70 per cent of the public believe females are more likely to contract breast cancer than both heart disease and stroke – despite statistics showing they are six times more likely to die from both conditions.

The research was commissioned by the Irish Heart Foundation for its ‘Her Heart Matters’ campaign, running throughout September.

It is now well-established that heart disease in women has been under-researched, under-diagnosed, and under-treated.

“The perception is quite different to the reality that one-in-four women die from heart disease and stroke,” said Dr Angie Brown, Consultant Cardiologist and Medical Director with the Irish Heart Foundation.

“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.”

The campaign is being supported by broadcaster Maura Derrane, who noted that one-in-four women dies from heart disease and stroke, the same as men. “But women often neglect their own heart health. They are caught up taking care of others, their children, and their partners.”

The research, conducted among 1,056 respondents, shows that a third of people in Ireland (33 per cent) believe women are at lower risk of heart disease and stroke than men, 41 per cent believe the risk is the same, and 16 per cent think women are more at risk.

And when women only were asked, just 50 per cent said they recognised the symptoms of heart disease and stroke, 23 per cent did not, and 27 per cent neither agreed nor disagreed.

The 50 per cent figure compares to 64 per cent of women who said they recognise breast cancer symptoms.

The Ipsos poll also showed that 41 per cent of women have spoken to a healthcare professional about their heart health within the last year – but 28 per cent have never done so.

“We are encouraging all women, but especially those in their mid-50s and beyond, to have their heart health checked, particularly if they experience chest or back pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or extreme fatigue – please don’t put it on the long finger,” said Dr Brown.

“Society as a whole needs to confront this embedded myth that heart disease is a male disease; it is still not seen as a disease that affects women to the degree that it does.

“Women need to seek help earlier if they have any suspicion something might be wrong, advocate for themselves, recognise the signs and potentially save their own lives.”

The campaign is supported by the Department of Health and the HSE.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “Improving women’s health outcomes and experiences and developing gender-specific health interventions has been a priority for me as Minister. Under the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health, I have placed a spotlight on and prioritised investment in initiatives targeted at women at midlife and older, with a particular emphasis on improving cardiovascular health.

For information and practical tips, visit: www.irishheart.ie/herheartmatters.