HEALTH MATTERS 83 irish heart foundation
RED ALERT! A
new campaign to raise awareness among women of their risk of
cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart attack and stroke, begins this September led by the Irish Heart Foundation and supported by the HSE.
In 2008, nearly 5,000 Irish women died
from CVD 1 but unfortunately, as in other countries, most women remain unaware of their risk of this major killer. In fact, research shows that Irish women deem breast cancer to be a bigger health risk – 60 per cent of those surveyed believe breast cancer is the biggest killer among women at 731 female deaths in 2008 compared to nearly seven times more deaths from heart disease and stroke in the same year. Worryingly, only 18 per cent of women
correctly identified heart disease as the main cause of female death. Another cause of concern is that 33 per cent of women also believed heart disease to be an exclusively ‘male disease’ even though just as many women die from it as men. This September, the Irish Heart Foundation aims to increase awareness of these issues using the international brand for cardiovascular disease in women - Go Red for Women. As the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke, our aim is to help women understand their risk of
Red Alert – Key Messages
Enjoy life – take time out for yourself and keep in touch with friends. Be active – at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity five times a week. Eat more fruit and vegetables and less fat and fries. Eat more fresh food and less convenience food. If you smoke, try to stop. Go easy on alcohol – no more than 14 standard drinks per week. Have regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks with your family doctor Know your family history.
Know the signs and symptoms of heart disease.
Heart attack and stroke combined is biggest killer in women writes Maureen Mulvihill, Health Promotion Manager, Irish Heart Foundation.
cardiovascular disease through a month- long awareness and educational campaign.
A sharp rise in the prevalence of CVD is expected across the population over the next 10 years and of particular concern is the level of major risk factors among women. At present, 32 per cent of women are obese, 86 per cent have cholesterol greater than or equal to five mmols and 53 per cent have a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHG. By 2020, heart disease is expected to rise by 50 per cent, stroke by 48 per cent, high blood pressure by 40 per cent, and diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) by 62 per cent. That is why the Irish Heart Foundation’s
Go Red for Women campaign will focus on specific issues for women including recognition of signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, healthy lifestyle behaviours and appropriate management of high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as the impact of menopause on women’s heart health. Our charity’s national Heart & Stroke Helpline 1890 432 787 will be on hand to answer queries and further information will be available on request or through our website
www.irishheart.ie In addition, there will be a FREE public
lecture on women and CVD jointly organised by the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland
and the Irish Heart Foundation on September 14th
at 6.30pm. A webcast link will be available on the day and for viewing thereafter. The month long campaign will end with the Foundation’s World Heart Day Walks on Sunday September 26th
where everyone is
invited to walk for 30 minutes or more to get their hearts pumping. The Irish Heart Foundation Go Red For
Women would not be possible without the support of the public and many other groups. Many people do not realise but the Irish Heart Foundation is a national charity which relies on charitable donations for up to 90 per cent of its funding. We support, educate and train people to save lives, campaign for patients, promote positive health strategies, support research and provide vital public information. We rely on public support – through donations, as a volunteer or on our training courses. To get involved or make a donation see
www.irishheart.ie
REFERENCES 1 CSO Vital Statistics Central Statistics Office, Government of Ireland (2008) Vital Statistics – Fourth Quarter and Yearly Summary Dublin, CSO. Dublin: The Stationary Office 2 Women’s Health Council (2008) – Omnibus Survey Women and Cardiovascular Disease. Dublin: The Women’s Health Council http://
www.whc.ie/documents/28cardiovascularH eathRisk_factsheet.pdf.Accessed April 15th 2010, 3 Harrington J, Perry I, Lutomski J, Morgan K, McGee H, Shelley E, Watson D and Barry M (2008). SLÁN 2007: Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes & Nutrition in Ireland. Dietary Habits of the Irish Population, Department of Health and Children. Dublin: The Stationary Office. 4 The Institute of Public Health Ireland (2010) Making Chronic Conditions Count (2010) Dublin
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