Women are just as likely as men to develop heart disease and 10 times more likely to develop it than breast cancer, a consultant cardiologist warned yesterday.
Dr Kate McGarry, who is also chairwoman of the Irish Heart Foundation, was speaking at the start of Irish Heart Week. She said heart disease was the single leading cause of death among Irish women.
This year's campaign, entitled "A Woman's Heart", aims to highlight the danger of heart disease for women.
"The 'male' image of heart disease may have an important impact on women's health," said Dr McGarry, "by affecting the way risk and symptoms are dealt with both by the women themselves and health professionals."
The symptoms of heart disease become apparent later in women than in men and are often more difficult to diagnose correctly in women, said Dr Vincent Maher, medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation.
"From a positive point of view, small changes in lifestyle today can make a big difference in the long term," he said.
Some 12,000 deaths in Ireland last year were due to heart disease, with almost half - 5,774 - among women. However, most of the research on the illness is conducted among men.
Dr Clare McNicholas, a GP, said it was important that women, from about their 40s, took the time to visit their GP and to have a risk profile conducted.
This would include a blood test for cholesterol levels, giving a medical and family history, as well as a physical examination measuring heart rate, blood pressure and so on.
She said reducing the risk of developing heart disease was "not rocket science". Among the measures women should take were taking exercise, eating more fruit and vegetables, not smoking, reducing alcohol intake and enjoying life.
More information is available at www.irishheart.ie or from 1850 364 364.
