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Her Heart Matters: Women's Heart Health and Knowing the signs

A Message for Everyone

September is Irish Heart Month, and in recent years the Irish Heart Foundation, with the support of the Department of Health and the HSE, has used the month to run its Her Heart Matters campaign, highlighting a fact that surprises many people: heart disease and stroke are among the biggest killers of women in Ireland.

According to the Irish Heart Foundation, one in four women in Ireland dies from cardiovascular disease, and women are several times more likely to die from heart disease and stroke than from breast cancer. Yet awareness remains low  and research shows that heart disease in women is under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated.

Women make up a substantial and growing part of An Garda Siochana. And every one of us has a mother, sister, partner, daughter, friend and colleauge whose heart health this campaign is about. The campaign's message is simple: 

talk, share and empower the women in your life to look after their hearts.

 

Why Women's Risk Is Different

Many of the risk factors for heart disease are shared by everyone: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, physical inactivity, being overweight and diabetes. But there are factors specific to women. The Irish Heart Foundation and HSE highlight that a woman's risk of heart disease and stroke rises significantly during and after menopause, as falling oestrogen levels remove some of the natural protection the heart previously had. Conditions during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes, can also signal higher cardiovascular risk in later life. For colleagues balancing shift work with caring responsibilities, the practical barriers to exercise, sleep and routine health checks can be greater still, which makes awareness and early checks all the more important.

 

Heart Attack Symptoms Can Look Different in Women

One of the central messages of the Her Heart Matters campaign is symptom awareness. Chest pain remains the most common heart attack symptom for both men and women, but women are more likely to experience symptoms that are easier to dismiss, and more likely to delay seeking help. Be alert, in yourself and in others, to:

  • Chest pain, pressure, tightness or a feeling of squeezing or fullness
  • Pain or discomfort spreading to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach
  • Sudden shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting or light-headedness
  • Unusual or extreme tiredness, sometimes in the days beforehand
  • A feeling more like indigestion or heartburn that does not settle

If you suspect a heart attack, in a colleague, a member of the public or yourself, call 999 or 112 immediately. 

For stroke, remember FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 999 or 112.

 

Five Practical Steps to Take This Month

Drawn from HSE, Irish Heart Foundation and Healthy Ireland guidance, these steps apply to everyone, and are especially worth sharing with the women in your life:

  1. Book a heart health check. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks are quick, and both can be silently raised for years. The HSE advises regular blood pressure checks for adults, and your GP can advise how often is right for you.
  2. Talk to your GP about menopause and your heart. If you are experiencing menopause, ask about heart health at the same time. The Irish Heart Foundation publishes free resources on menopause and the heart at irishheart.ie, and free HSE-supported webinars run during Heart Month.
  3. Build movement into the week. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. A 15-minute walk before or after a shift adds up fast.Walking with a friend or colleague makes it more likely to stick, and daylight exercise also helps sleep between shifts.                                                                                      Break up sitting time: stand, stretch or take a short walk every hour where it's safe and practical. Try the Movement Matters toolkit within your working day for quick, evidence-based micro-movements.
  4. Eat with your heart in mind: more veg, fruit and wholegrains, oily fish twice a week, less salt and fewer processed foods. Bring prepared food on nights to stay on track. Small, sustainable swaps beat short-lived overhauls.
  5. Start the conversation. The campaign asks everyone, men and women, to talk about women's heart health. Mention it at a briefing, in the canteen or at home. Awareness, shared, saves lives.

Information and Resources

 

Need Support?

  • Employee Support Programme in partnership with Lena by Inspire Wellbeing. Confidential support is available where stress is affecting personal wellbeing.  The right support at the right time

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         CALL 1800 817 433

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This September, Make It Personal

Heart Month ends with World Heart Day on 29 September, but the habits it encourages are for life. Whether you wear the uniform or support those who do, take one action this month: book the check, take the walk, have the conversation. Her heart matters. So does yours.

 


This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns about your heart health, please speak to your GP or occupational health.

Garda National Health and Wellbeing Office — Keeping Our People Supported (KOPS)