The Heart Foundation says heart disease caused the deaths in 34 per cent of Australians in 2006, and more than half of those were women.
The Heart Foundation's 'Go Red for Women' campaign is promoting a healthier lifestyle and advocating regular heart check-ups for women and that women have their cholesterol checked, quit smoking, eat well and exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
The results of a survey of 1,300 women, have revealed that most women mistakenly believe that breast cancer is the leading cause of death among females and they underestimate heart disease as the nation's biggest killer.
The Heart Foundation says heart disease kills 30 Australian women every day, almost 11,000 a year, yet only 30 per cent of those questioned knew it was the biggest killer, with most women believing breast cancer, which kills about 2,600 annually, to be the top cause of death.
Cameron Prout, chief executive of the Heart Foundation, says it is a common misconception that heart disease is a 'male problem' and women tend to dismiss their symptoms and not seek help until the condition becomes serious.
He says heart disease should not be underestimated and is a real issue for all women and younger women should take heed and act to reduce their risk.
The survey also showed that while about half were aware smoking, saturated fat and obesity were major risk factors for heart disease, only 11 per cent of those questioned recognised high blood pressure as a risk factor - 19 per cent recognised high cholesterol and six per cent recognised diabetes and only 18 per cent thought alcohol could be a contributing factor.
Health guidelines list smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, diabetes and excessive alcohol as the leading contributors to heart disease, along with age, a family history of heart disease and a previous heart attack.
The VIOS results were presented at the Hypertension 2008 symposium, a scientific conference co-hosted by the European and International Societies of Hypertension. Dr. Ferrario was in Berlin, Germany, for the symposium, where he conducted interviews on Sunday and yesterday with international media about the significance of the VIOS data.
Ferrario, professor of surgical sciences and of physiology and pharmacology, is the Dewitt Cordell Professor of Surgical Research at Wake Forest Baptist. His outstanding achievements in cardiovascular research include his breakthrough discoveries concerning the renin-angiotensin system and the use of novel antihypertensive medications for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
An internationally recognized center for the investigation of vascular disease and hypertension, the Hypertension & Vascular Research Center provides comprehensive care for hypertension and vascular disease, a mobile blood pressure clinic, early screening and management of peripheral artery disease.
Since it was established at Wake Forest, the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center has raised more than $23 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. In addition, more than $3 million in grants have been awarded by pharmaceutical companies. The center has been awarded grant revenues totaling $4.7 million this academic year.
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