We're sure you know that heart disease is a serious and incredibly common health danger, but how much do you actually know about your risk? A new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that most women know surprisingly little about the symptoms and risk factors of this devastating disease.
For the survey, researchers asked 1,654 Canadian women, ages 25 and up, to answer questions about heart disease either online or on the phone. They gave them a list of possible actions—including eating more fruits and veggies, getting regular exercise and medical check-ups, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, managing stress, controlling hypertension, taking vitamins, etc.—then asked them to ID which ones were risk factors or common symptoms of heart disease.
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Get this: Fewer than half of women knew the major symptoms of heart disease. And surprisingly, not even half of women named smoking as a risk factor, and less than one quarter named hypertension or high cholesterol as red flags. Interestingly, most women said they prefer to get their heart health info from their doctors, but only slightly more than half said their doctor actually talks to them about this stuff during visits.
MORE: The Surprising Thing That Raises the Risk of Heart Attacks in Young Women
While this study only looked at a subsection of women in Canada, it's clear that many women are in the dark about their heart health. But the fact is, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, according to the American Heart Association. So it's time to learn the risk factors, spot the signs of a heart attack, and stay informed about your heart health.
MORE: The Biggest Heart Disease Risk Factor in Women Over 30
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