One in four women dies from heart disease and stroke each year – the same as men. Yet these conditions are under-researched, under-diagnosed, and under-treated in women.
This September, the Irish Heart Foundation, supported by the Department of Health Women’s Health Fund and the HSE, will launch the Her Heart Matters national awareness and behaviour change campaign to help women care for their hearts.
The good news is that 80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable through healthy lifestyles. Running throughout September, the campaign will focus on supporting women to take control of their own heart health and take action to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. It will provide practical information and supportive tools, developed with women, for women.
This year, there will be a particular focus on supporting the midlands counties of Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, and Longford to take part in the campaign. A dedicated co-ordinator will work with local community groups to activate the campaign on the ground and share its vital messages.
We will also focus on disseminating tailored resources developed with and for specific groups, including Traveller women, as well as materials translated into Polish and Arabic.
Since 2022, the Irish Heart Foundation has run the ‘Her Heart Matters’ campaign, aiming to reduce the alarming number of women in Ireland living with and dying from cardiovascular disease by creating a national conversation around women’s heart health.
Speaking about the campaign, Sarah O’Brien, National Lead, HSE, Healthy Eating Active Living Programme, said “HSE Health & Wellbeing are delighted to support this important campaign, early detection and management of cardiovascular risk factors are essential to improve women’s heart health and reduce premature deaths”.
To learn more about how to protect your heart, visit www.irishheart.ie.