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PEOPLE 'IN THE DARK' ABOUT HEART DISEASE RISKS
Monday 8 February 2010
People still don't know enough about the causes and effects of heart disease despite decades of health education, says a leading medical charity. A study carried out on behalf of NI Chest, Heart and Stroke shows that younger and older people are most in the dark about the illness.
The research found that:
Fewer than 2 people in 10 mentioned high cholesterol as a risk factor
A third of the population have never had their cholesterol checked
Only one in four people cited high blood pressure or lack of exercise as a risk
The survey also shows that people regard breast cancer as the biggest threat to women's lives, when in fact heart disease kills more than four times as many. Those at both ends of the age scale - under 25s and over 65s - were least likely to identify a high fat diet and inactivity as risk factors, while only 21% of the under 25s highlighted obesity as a contributory factor. The only risk factor cited by a majority of those surveyed was smoking. All age groups scored poorly in identifying a diet high in salt as a risk.
"While we welcome the level of awareness of the terrible impact of breast cancer, we are frankly shocked that people seem to know so little about heart disease, which claims around nine lives a day in Northern Ireland," said Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of NI Chest, Heart and Stroke.
The charity is urging everyone to learn more during Have a Heart Week (Feb 8-14), which has the theme "Beat Heart Disease". "The problem with the lack of knowledge among younger people especially is that some of the risks for heart disease are already being laid down at a young age, and young people can't leave it until middle age before changing their lifestyles," said Mr Dougal.
The survey was carried out by Millward Brown Ulster, based on a sample of 1,000 people from Northern Ireland.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long had her blood pressure checked and urged people to support the charity's campaign, saying: "It is important for people to learn and understand all of the risk factors involved. Heart disease is caused by a combination of factors and people of all ages must be familiar with them and how to overcome them. With 9 deaths a day in Northern Ireland we must all act now to beat this killer illness."
Although death rates from heart disease have fallen in the last three decades, it is still the second largest cause of death for both men and women. Many of those who survive are left with lasting effects, including loss of employment and self-esteem. Have a Heart Week is designed to raise awareness of the condition, and to raise much-needed funds for research in Northern Ireland's hospitals and universities.
Mr Dougal added: "We are concerned that people in their 40s and 50s are dying without warning from their first heart attack. I personally know of two men in that age range who lost their lives last year. People need to acquaint themselves with the warning signs and risk factors."
Those risk factors include: a diet high in sugar, fat or salt; lack of exercise; high blood pressure; family history; and high cholesterol.
Money raised during Have a Heart Week will help the charity's health promotion work and contribute to its research budget. It is spending £500,000 on research in the current year.
More information and advice about heart disease can be found at www.nichsa.com or by phoning the charity's help line 08457 697299 (charged at local rate from anywhere in Northern Ireland).
