Her Heart Matters – supporting women through barriers

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

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 reveals 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.

“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,” said Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Promotion, Information and Training, Irish Heart Foundation.

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.

“Time, or lack of it, has consistently come up as a barrier, as has stress and cost of living concerns,” said Ms Morrissey.

“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. The Foundation has a 28-day planner of heart-healthy habits, including nutrition and physical activity tips, and information on the symptoms of heart disease and stroke which can be found at here.

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.

“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.”