Women are more likely than men to dismiss any form of chest pain (Image: Getty Images)
Heart disease is a significant health concern for women in the UK, with over 30,000 hospitalised each year due to heart attacks. A recent report highlights that women may be more likely than men to dismiss unexplained chest pain, which can lead to underestimating their risk of heart-related issues.
A survey involving 2,000 adults revealed a mere 35% of women believe they are likely to suffer from heart issues, and over half think they’re not at risk due to their healthy lifestyle choices.
In contrast to 38% of men who would seek immediate medical attention for chest pain, only 30% of women said they would do the same, with many opting for rest or indigestion remedies instead.
The study, carried out by Healthspan Plant Sterol Plus, sheds light on the dangerous misconceptions held by women regarding heart health. A significant number don’t consider heart problems a concern due to no family history or because they feel too young to be affected.
Alarmingly, 14% of women mistakenly view high cholesterol as an issue predominantly affecting men. Moreover, a quarter of women between 45-54 years old have never checked their cholesterol levels, and 1 in 20 haven’t done so in over five years, despite the availability of free NHS tests for those aged 40-74.
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Equally concerning is that 1 in 20 have neglected their blood pressure checks for over five years, and half of the participants are unaware of their normal blood pressure figures.
Dr. Hilary Jones, GP and medical advisor to Healthspan, warns, “Many people are unaware of the close relationship between high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Left unmanaged, these conditions can significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.”
Natasha Whitehead, a compliance administrator from Northamptonshire, is currently undergoing tests for familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition that heightens the risk of heart disease and premature heart attacks. This comes after her cholesterol levels remained high despite significant weight loss.
Natasha said she’s struggled with high cholesterol in the past (Image: SWNS)
She said she was aware of the risks of high cholestrol, given her mother’s history with it, but she still confessed to feeling “disheartened that, even after such huge lifestyle changes and weight loss, my cholesterol had stayed the same.”
Despite her initial reluctance to take statins due to witnessing their side effects on loved ones, Natasha opted to try plant sterols supplements. She believes this decision led to a decrease in her cholesterol levels after an additional five months.
Cardiologist Dr. Ameet Bakhai cautioned that alongside high cholestrol and high blood pressure, factors such as diabetes, depression, chest infections, poor sleep, noise pollution, chronic stress, and night shifts can escalate the risk of heart disease.
He advised, “Everyone should be aware of the signs, family history, and factors that increase risk and take steps to maintain heart health. Poor heart health can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender.”