Looking After Your Heart

Small Changes That Make a Big Difference 

As September begins and we mark Heart Month, many of us may be thinking about our health and wellbeing. When we think about heart health, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We are bombarded with information about blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise, weight, diet and stress. For many people, knowing where to start can be the hardest part.

That’s why the Irish Heart Foundation Love Your Heart campaign is encouraging people to start small, because when it comes to heart health, small changes can make a big difference.

Heart health is part of everyday life and small, sustainable changes can have a meaningful impact on your long-term health.

Most cardiovascular disease can be prevented 

Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke and thrombosis, remains one of the leading causes of death in Ireland.

The encouraging news is that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes.

You don’t need to transform your life overnight to support your heart health. Often, it’s the small things we do consistently that matter most. Whether that’s adding an extra serving of vegetables to a meal, taking a walk, learning your blood pressure numbers or finding more time to relax, small changes can add up over time.

A more compassionate conversation about health 

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

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

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

The Ipsos poll also showed that 40% of women have spoken to a healthcare professional about their heart health within the last year – but 28% 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.

Start With Understanding Your Heart Health 

Taking time to understand your heart health can be an important first step.

A key Irish Heart Foundation resource, My Heart Health is designed to be practical and easy to use, it helps people understand their personal risk factors, learn about healthy habits, and identify next steps that work for their circumstances.

The most important message from the Love Your Heart campaign is that looking after your heart does not have to be complicated. By taking stock of where you are today and making one small positive change at a time, you can build habits that support your heart health for years to come.