This World Heart Day, Sunday September 28th, Benecol is urging women and in particular, women over 50, to get their cholesterol levels checked and wake up to the fact that raised cholesterol levels and heart disease is not just a ‘man’s problem’!
This ‘call to action’ follows recent research commissioned by Benecol, which shows a staggering three quarters (78%) of British women have no idea that they are at greatest risk of heart disease once they have been through the menopause. What’s more, nearly half (47%) falsely think that the decline in oestrogen during the menopause either has no effect on, or reduces cholesterol levels, when in fact it often causes an increase in cholesterol levels. Concerning statistics when 88% of mature women aged 55-64 have high cholesterol.
The lack of understanding around menopause and heart health is perhaps not that surprising given the overall ignorance relating to cholesterol and heart disease. A staggering two thirds (65%) of the women surveyed were unaware that heart disease is the main cause of death amongst females, whilst almost the same number (64%) did not know that high cholesterol is one of the primary causes of heart disease - worrying statistics when CHD is estimated to cost the UK economy over £7.9 billion a year.
Vivienne Taylor, 58, found out that she had high cholesterol completely by chance whilst out shopping one day and says, "My high street chemist were offering free cholesterol tests, so out of curiosity I decided to have a quick check up and was shocked to discover the results. I immediately started worrying about whether I might suffer from heart problems and certainly had no idea that I would be more susceptible to having high cholesterol since I’d just been through the menopause."
Dr Rosemary Leonard, GP and women’s health expert, says, "Vivienne is not alone in her concerns and misunderstandings surrounding high cholesterol and it is essential that we help women to understand the influences and risks associated with heart disease - it is after all, the biggest killer of women in the UK, responsible for around 50,000 deaths in women each year."
Dr Leonard continues, "The first and possibly most important step is encouraging women to get their cholesterol level tested, but thereafter it is about educating and dispelling existing misconceptions. Many women wrongly believe that men are more prone to high cholesterol, when in fact women over the age of 55 have a higher average cholesterol level than men of the same age. There is also a belief that those who are overweight are at greater risk, but high cholesterol can be found in anyone, whatever their shape or size. Lastly, some people have the misconception that lowering cholesterol has to involve medicines, while in fact simple diet and lifestyle changes can significantly help lower cholesterol."