Women’s Hearts Matter

Heart disease is often thought of as a disease that mainly affects men, but it is a leading cause of death for Australian women too - with one Australian woman losing her life to heart disease almost every hour, every day.

At the Women’s Hearts Breakfast held in the Black Swan Room at Optus Stadium in October, the Heart Foundation shone a light on women’s heart health to around 100 distinguished guests, including donors, government officials, healthcare professionals, and business and industry leaders.

Heart Foundation general manager WA, Dr Helena Viola, a cardiovascular biochemist with nearly 20 years of UWA research experience backed by the Heart Foundation, highlighted the warning signs of heart disease in women.

“The misconception that heart disease predominately affects men means that the symptoms of heart disease in women can sometimes be overlooked by both patients and health professionals,” Dr Viola told Business News.

Although chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, women are more likely than men to experience non-chest pain symptoms.

“It’s important to know the warning signs of a heart attack in women, which are not only chest pain symptoms, but can also include jaw, shoulder and back pain, vomiting and nausea, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, dizziness, indigestion, and tiredness or fatigue,” she explained.

Three Perth women dubbed “the Chicks that Tick”, Arnya Tait, Mel Del Popolo and Julie Crocker, shared their personal experiences of heart disease, while Francine Eades from the East Metropolitan Health Service highlighted that heart disease claims the lives of 1 in 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Cardiologist Dr Matthew Best from the Perth Cardiovascular Institute reiterated that all women should look out for symptoms early.

Dr Viola explained that women are less likely to speak to their GP about heart disease than men. “Too many women dismiss heart attack symptoms as being something else and delay getting help,” she said.

“The risk of heart disease in women changes throughout the life course, so it is important to be aware of the risk factors that affect women, and what you can do to look after your heart health,” Dr Viola said.

The Heart Foundation encourages those eligible to get a 20-minute Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check, especially women aged 45 and over or 30 and over if First Nations.

During the check-up, a GP checks their patient’s blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and asks key questions about nutrition, exercise, medical and family history.

All of these factors allow the GP to use a validated risk prediction equation to accurately assess their patient’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.

“Women’s hearts matter. We encourage all women to speak to their GP about having a Heart Health Check,” Dr Viola said.

The Heart Foundation relies on donor support and alliances with corporate partners to fund research. Organisations interested in strategic partnerships are encouraged to contact Fiona Gardiner, acting head of corporate partnerships: fiona.gardiner@heartfoundation.org.au