Only half of women say they recognise the symptoms of heart disease and stroke, while 28% have never had a heart health check, new research shows.

The national Ipsos B&A survey also reveals 70% of the public believe females are more likely to contract breast cancer than both heart disease and stroke – despite statistics showing they are six times more likely to die from heart disease or stroke.

It was commissioned by the Irish Heart Foundation for its ‘Her Heart Matters’ campaign, running throughout September.

“The perception is quite different to the reality that one in four women dies from heart disease and stroke,” said Dr Angie Brown, Consultant Cardiologist and Medical Director with the Irish Heart Foundation.

The campaign is being supported by broadcaster Maura Derrane, who said: “One in four women dies from heart disease and stroke, the same as men. But women often neglect their own heart health. They are caught up taking care of others, their children and their partners.

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.

Sarah O’Brien, HSE, Healthy Eating & Active Living Programme, Health & Wellbeing, said regular physical activity, quitting smoking, eating healthier and limiting alcohol use are among the crucial steps in helping to prevent up to 80% of premature cardiovascular disease and stroke cases.

“There is help available to assist women in making informed and long-lasting changes to their lifestyles which can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke,” she said.

For information and practical tips, visit: irishheart.ie/herheartmatters