Do you know the risks?
Heart disease isn't featured in our topics of health conversations despite being the single biggest killer of women in the UK.
Research released today from Flora pro.activ and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) reveals that 40 per cent of women are more likely to discuss politics, and 15 per cent would prefer to gossip than talk about this potentially life threatening disease with friends that ultimately could help them.
Flora pro.activ and the BHF are working together to raise awareness of heart disease amongst women. The Love Your Heart campaign is aiming to get more women thinking about their heart health, and also have these critical conversations with friends, family members and colleagues.
79 per cent women think heart disease is just something that affects overweight, middle-aged men and don’t realise they are at risk too.
Dorieann Maddock, Senior Cardiac Nurse for the British Heart Foundation, commented: “It’s a myth that it’s just men who die of heart disease. The truth is heart disease is the single biggest killer of women in the UK and it kills 3 times more women than breast cancer.
“Fortunately, heart disease is often preventable, so it’s essential we get more women thinking about their heart health so they can then make positive changes to their diet and lifestyle to help protect their hearts in future.”
If a woman experienced one of the signs or symptoms of a heart attack, such a chest pains, sweating, shortness of breath, neck and jaw pain, upper back pain, abdominal pain, fatigue, vomiting, indigestion-like pain or nausea, 59% wouldn’t talk to anyone because they don’t think it’s serious or important, and 49% don’t think it’s a big deal. Surprisingly , 69% of women would need to experience three or more symptoms of a heart attack before they would consider speaking to a doctor, family member or friend.
Laura Tari, Nutritionist at Flora pro.activ, added: “It is a huge shock that most women don’t realise the risks of heart disease. A key risk factor for heart disease is high cholesterol, but the good news is you can help protect yourself and lower your cholesterol with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. Through the Love Your Heart campaign we are encouraging women to have these conversations with friends, family members and healthcare professionals, to not only help themselves but also help loved ones.”
TV personality Gabby Logan is supporting our Love Your Heart campaign, helping publicise the issue and encouraging women to learn more about the risks and take action by making small changes to their lifestyle. As a keen fitness enthusiast, Gabby understands the importance of staying active and living a healthy lifestyle to keep cholesterol levels low and help keep her heart healthy. Gabby’s family experienced the tragic impact of heart disease when her brother sadly died of a congenital heart problem aged just 15. Since then, Gabby has been a long-time supporter of heart health both for people born with heart problems and those who go on to develop them later in life.
Gabby said: “I am thrilled to be part of the Love Your Heart campaign. There seems to be a common misconception that it’s only men who die of heart disease. The truth is, heart disease is the single biggest killer of women in the UK. We are encouraging women to unite in the battle against heart disease, to share their stories with other women and inspire them to take action.”
To find out more about the Love Your Heart campaign, risks and potential lifestyle changes, visit loveyourheart.com
Tagged in Health Healthy Body Healthy Heart Heart Health