Myths about heart attacks and stroke are putting women’s lives at risk, the Irish Heart Foundation has warned. 

According to a new study on women and heart conditions, 70% of people believe women are more likely to contract breast cancer than have a heart attack or stroke.

In fact, women are six times more likely to die from either of those conditions than they are from breast cancer.

On The Pat Kenny Show, spokesperson Janis Morrissey described the finding as yet more proof of a “very embedded myth” within society.

“If I ask you to picture someone having a heart attack, we often think of a classic Hollywood soap where it’s a middle-aged man clutching his chest but in fact the reality is that one-in-four women in Ireland will die of heart disease and stroke - the same as men,” she said.

“That’s why the Irish Heart Foundation has launched their ‘Heart Matters’ campaign to shine a spotlight on the fact that we’re very breast aware - which is fantastic - but we need to be heart aware as well.”

Awareness

The research also found that 28% of women have never had a heart health check - despite the fact that many heart conditions are preventable with lifestyle changes.

“We’re calling women to talk to your doctor about your heart health,” Ms Morrissey said.

“Look at all of the factors that affect your risk - that could include your age and your family history.

“But the good news is that 80% of heart disease and stroke is preventable through lifestyle changes.

“Things like physical activity, not smoking, limiting alcohol and eating healthily have a huge impact on your risk of heart disease and stroke as well.”

A woman getting her blood pressure checked. Picture by: Alamy Stock Photo.

In particular, Ms Morrissey urged women to get their blood pressure checked.

“Blood pressure is a very important risk factor for heart disease,” she said.

“The only way to know that you have high blood pressure is to get it checked - either with your GP… or in a local pharmacy.

“High blood pressure is often called the silent killer.”

Ms Morrissey said that while some heart attack symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath or nausea are well-known, women also need to be aware of less typical symptoms.

“Often, women have less common symptoms like back pain, stomach pain - extreme fatigue that are more generic and harder to identify immediately,” she said.

“What we’re saying to women is - seek help earlier, trust your body.

“If you don’t feel right, contact emergency services.

“We’re really calling on women to advocate for themselves, to recognise the symptoms and potentially save their own lives.”

Anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack is advised to call 999 immediately.

Main image: A woman suffering from a mild heart attack. Picture by: Alamy.com