90% OF CHINESE WOMEN ARE UNAWARE THAT HEART DISEASE AND STROKE ARE THEIR NUMBER ONE KILLERS
90% OF CHINESE WOMEN ARE UNAWARE THAT HEART DISEASE AND STROKE ARE THEIR NUMBER ONE KILLERS
Many Chinese women may put themselves at increased risk of heart disease and stroke, because they are unaware of the risk factors
Beijing, 18 June 2010. Chinese women are largely unaware that heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death of women in China , and may be placing themselves at risk because they do not know the risk factors. They also do not view the diseases as a primary health concern, according to new independent research conducted by Opinion Health and launched today by the World Heart Federation at their World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) Scientific Sessions in Beijing, China.
The survey results suggest that only one in 10 (10%) Chinese women are aware that heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death of women in China. The survey also revealed that of the Chinese women questioned:
- Approximately one-third do not believe that smoking or lack of exercise place women at greater risk of heart disease or stroke (34% and 29% respectively)
- Nearly four out of ten (36%) do not recognize that poor diet places women at greater risk of heart disease or stroke
- Just one in 10 (10%) considered heart disease to be their primary health concern, and less than one in 30 (3%) considered stroke to be the health problem which concerns them the most
- The majority (72%) agree that men are more likely than women to have a heart attack or stroke, suggesting they may be considered male diseases
“The survey results suggest a worrying lack of awareness amongst Chinese women towards their heart health and highlight an urgent need for greater education to ensure they take steps to reduce their risk,” explains Dr. Dong Zhao, Deputy Director, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Diseases. “Knowing the most common risk factors and taking preventative action to reduce the risk, is the first step in fighting heart disease and stroke and saving Chinese women’s lives.”
The World Heart Federation is committed to improving women’s knowledge of heart disease and stroke, and via their international awareness campaign Go Red for Women are urging women in China and around the world to take control of their heart health.
“The Go Red for Women campaign is a major international awareness campaign dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and control of heart disease and stroke in women,” states Dr. Kathryn Taubert, Senior Science Officer, World Heart Federation. “The colour red means many things to women internationally. This campaign focuses on the symbol of a red dress: The dress as a universal women’s image and red as the colour of health, life and vibrancy but also of warning. The campaign will help to make the No.1 killer of women in the world, women's No.1 health priority.”
Heart disease and stroke cause 43.9%i of deaths in women in China. Globally, over 8.6 million women die of heart disease and stroke each year - more than the total number of women who die from all cancers, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.iii And yet, most heart disease and stroke is preventable.
“There are simple steps that women can take to protect their hearts. These include stopping smoking, undertaking physical exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and ensuring a healthy food intake. Through our work with members around the world we also urge women to know their numbers – have blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked regularly, as high levels can place you at greater risk,” states Dr. Taubert.
Dr. Taubert concludes: “We hope that the Go Red for Women Campaign will raise awareness of women’s risk of heart disease and stroke and encourage every woman around the world to take care of her heart health”.
For further information on the Go Red for Women campaign, and information about heart disease and stroke, visit www.worldheart.org
Notes to Editor
Survey Methodology
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Opinion Health. Total sample size was 1,017 Chinese women aged 18+. Research was conducted online and completed in May 2010. Data has been weighted and is representative.
Go Red for Women
Go Red for Women is a major international awareness campaign dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and control of cardiovascular disease in women. The American Heart Association created the Go Red for Women campaign in 2004 to empower women with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their heart health. The World Heart Federation, together with its members, has taken the campaign global to inform women worldwide that heart disease and stroke are their number one killers and that they can take appropriate action to prevent it. www.worldheart.org/grfw
World Congress of Cardiology
The World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions is the official congress of the World Heart Federation and is held every two years. Through the Congress, the World Heart Federation offers an international stage for the latest developments in science and public outreach in the field of cardiovascular health. The World Congress of Cardiology places emphasis on the complementary nature of science and public outreach and strives to spread the message that through individual, community and patient care interventions, the growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease can be prevented.
www.worldcardiocongress.org
World Heart Federation
The World Heart Federation is dedicated to leading the global fight against heart disease and stroke with a focus on low- and middle-income countries via a united community of more than 200 member organizations. With its members, the World Heart Federation works to build global commitment to addressing cardiovascular health at the policy level, generates and exchanges ideas, shares best practice, advances scientific knowledge and promotes knowledge transfer to tackle cardiovascular disease – the world’s number one killer. It is a growing membership organization that brings together the strength of medical societies and heart foundations from more than 100 countries. Through our collective efforts we can help people all over the world to lead longer and better heart-healthy lives. www.worldheart.org
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- He et al., Major Causes of Death among Men and Women in China. New England Journal of Medicine 2005;353:1124-1134
- Opinion Health Online Healthcare Consumer Survey, May 2010. Data on file
- World Health Organization, The World health report: 2004 : changing history. WHO, Geneva, 2004
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