Her heart matters!

Lack of motivation, stress, and a concern that health checks are too expensive are preventing women from protecting their heart health, new data has revealed.

The high cost of healthy foods and gym memberships are also creating barriers to living a healthy lifestyle, according to the research conducted for the Irish Heart Foundation. The data also revealed that just over half of women (51%) say they know the symptoms of heart disease and stroke - but a significantly higher 67% believe they know the symptoms of breast cancer.

The Ipsos B&A research was conducted for the charity’s Her Heart Matters campaign, which is supported by the Department of Health Women’s Health Fund and the HSE.

The campaign supports and empowers women to take control of their own heart health and take action to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Promotion, said: “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. It seems for many, life and lack of time is getting in the way, but it’s not about a drastic overhaul of lifestyle, just to ask themselves questions such as: ‘am I stressed?’, ‘am I active?’, ‘how is my diet?’, ‘do I smoke?’, ‘when did I last have my blood pressure checked?’”

The new study shows only 13% of females correctly think they are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease and stroke than breast cancer (66%), despite heart disease and stroke killing six times as many women as breast cancer. The charity is also concerned about the reasons women gave for not prioritising their heart health, with worries about the cost of health checks identified as a key reason (25%).

Nearly one-in-four (23%) said they did not feel motivated to look after their heart health, 21% said gym memberships were too expensive and 18% identified the high cost of healthy foods. When combined, stress/anxiety and lack of time were factors for 26% of women.

Ms Morrissey continued: “Time, or lack of it, has consistently come up as a barrier, as has stress and cost of living concerns. This appears to be fuelling a general lack of motivation, it could be a case that women feel they are juggling too much in their daily lives.

“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. What we would ask women to do as a first step is simply start the conversation with friends, loved ones, partners, to try to make small lifestyle changes and increase their knowledge of symptoms which can save their lives.”

The Irish Heart Foundation’s campaign provides practical information and supportive tools to help women look after their heart health.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said: “Women continue to experience poorer cardiovascular health outcomes than men and I’m committed to changing that by helping to improve awareness of the symptoms of heart disease and stroke. That’s why my department’s Women’s Health Fund is again supporting the Irish Heart Foundation's excellent Her Heart Matters campaign.

“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.”

Sarah O’Brien, National Lead: Healthy Eating & Active Living Programme, Health & Wellbeing, HSE 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.”