On Matters of the Heart, Women Aged 40-plus Naive When It Comes to Risks
~ Still considered a "man's disease," women face major disconnect between concern about heart disease, high cholesterol and efforts to monitor and control it ~
OTTAWA, June 3 /CNW/ - Heart disease is the number one killer of
women in this country,(1) but a new survey from the Federation of
Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) reveals that many Canadian women
still possess little knowledge about their own risk factors for
cardiovascular disease, including their personal cholesterol target
levels, and appear not to be taking the time to address these risk
factors.
Results from the LIPitor: Women'S InsighTs Into Cholesterol
Knowledge (LIPSTICK) survey, conducted by Leger Marketing, reveal
that while nearly all Canadian women aged 40-plus (94 per cent) say
that having healthy cholesterol levels are important to them, the
reality is that cholesterol is not top-of-mind. According to
LIPSTICK, nearly half of women surveyed (46 per cent) spend the
most time thinking about their weight, versus only five per cent
who think about their cholesterol levels. In fact, only one-in-ten
women surveyed knew their personal LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels,
versus the more than six-in-ten women (64 per cent) who know how
much they weighed in high school.
LIPSTICK further revealed that four-in-ten women aged 40-plus have
not had their cholesterol checked in the past year, despite the
risk of elevated cholesterol and heart disease increasing with age.
Moreover, although three-in-ten Canadian women surveyed have been
diagnosed with high cholesterol, one-in-six of those do not get
their cholesterol levels checked on a yearly basis.
"Knowing all your vascular risk factors such as high blood
pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, obesity and
smoking, is a very important step in the prevention of heart
disease," says Dr. Nahid Azad, Associate Professor, University of
Ottawa and a member of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada
(FMWC). "The good news is it is never too late to take action.
Women need to work with their physician to identify their personal
risk, and steps they can take to reduce their chances of
cardiovascular disease, through diet and lifestyle changes, and
medication if necessary."
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: NO LONGER A MAN'S WORLD
Shockingly enough, more than half of Canadian women surveyed are
unaware of the fact that more women than men die of heart disease
every year. Heart disease and stroke kill one-third of women, and
women are more likely than men to die of a heart attack or
stroke.(2)
Although the odds are against them, LIPSTICK reveals few women
acknowledge their personal risk for heart disease. More than
one-third of Canadian women surveyed (37 per cent) may
underestimate their own risk for heart disease, believing they are
"not at risk" for developing heart disease, or only to a "very
small extent," while most women fail to make the connection between
risk factors, such as high cholesterol, and their personal chance
of developing heart disease. The reality is that an alarming 80 per
cent of Canadian women surveyed report having two or more risk
factors - such as age, diabetes, high cholesterol and/or high blood
pressure - which puts them at an increased risk for heart attack
and stroke.
"Heart disease is not just a man's disease - the truth is more
women than men face the threat of a heart attack or stroke," says
Dr. Azad.
"Traditionally women have put the needs of their family ahead of
their own; however, when it comes to their health, women need to
start making themselves a priority. LIPSTICK reinforces the need
for Canadian women to start taking heart disease personally."
THE HEART OF IT ALL: WOMEN NEED TO DO MORE TO REDUCE THEIR RISK
Perhaps what is of most concern is women who have been diagnosed
with high cholesterol are not doing enough to reduce their risk of
cardiovascular disease. LIPSTICK reveals that 15 per cent of
Canadian women diagnosed with high cholesterol are not exercising
in an effort to improve their overall health and reduce their
cholesterol levels and subsequent risk for cardiovascular disease.
For the majority, the reason for not exercising is simply a lack of
motivation.
"My father passed away from a massive heart attack and this was a
huge wake up call for me to go to my doctor to find out my own risk
for heart disease," says Rita Cascagnette, aged 43. "After my
doctor diagnosed me with high cholesterol, I started to pay more
attention to my own health. I now exercise regularly, watch what I
eat and help manage my high cholesterol with a statin."
About LIPSTICK
LIPSTICK was conducted to determine the level of cardiovascular
knowledge held by Canadian women, as well as awareness of risk
factors, including high cholesterol. LIPSTICK explored women's
perceptions and understanding of heart disease to improve
management of high cholesterol.
A total of 2,000 Canadian women aged 40-plus answered an on-line
survey. Results of a sample this size comprised of Canadians can be
considered accurate to +/- 2.2 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
LIPSTICK was undertaken in consultation with the Federation of
Medical Women of Canada and conducted by Leger Marketing. LIPSTICK
was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer
Canada Inc.
FEDERATION OF MEDICAL WOMEN OF CANADA
The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is a national
organization committed to the professional, social and personal
advancement of women physicians and to the promotion of the
well-being of women both in the medical profession and in society
at large. Since its formation in 1924, the FMWC has acted as a
guardian for women physicians and medical students, giving loans,
mentoring and networking opportunities, and acting as an advocate
for women physicians and women's health in society.
Most of the women physician leaders in Canada have received their
training and support through membership in FMWC, which is an
independent national member of the Medical Women's International
Association.
PFIZER CANADA INC.
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., the world's leading pharmaceutical company. Pfizer discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines for humans and animals. Pfizer's ongoing research and development activities focus on a wide range of therapeutic areas following our guiding aspiration: working for a healthier world. For more information, visit www.pfizer.ca.
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<<
(1)
http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca/site/c.pvI3IeNWJwE/b.3581669/No.womenhasignals
.
(2) Investing in Canada's Future
2003-2004, Canadian Institutes of Health
Research (CIHR), 2004.
>>
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/For further information: OR TO SPEAK TO A PHYSICIAN EXPERT IN
VANCOUVER,
CALGARY, TORONTO, OTTAWA, MONTREAL OR SAINT JOHN, PLEASE CONTACT:
Whitney
Binns, Dana Allison, Carolyn Santillan, Edelman, Tel: (416)
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257, 318, 351, whitney.binns@edelman.com,
dana.allison@edelman.com,
carolyn.santillan@edelman.com;
Alexandra Menear, Edelman, (Montreal), Tel:
(514) 844-6665, ext. 226, alexandra.menear@edelman.com;
Christian Marcoux,
Manager, Corporate Communications, Pfizer Canada Inc., Tel: (514)
426-6985,
christian.marcoux@pfizer.com/
Posted: June 2008
