The American Heart Association (AHA) just released a new report detailing statistics related to women’s heart health awareness. Titled, “Fifteen-Year Trends in Awareness of Heart Disease in Women,” the report discusses the findings of a national survey conducted by the AHA in 2012.
The survey was prompted by a previous survey in 1997, which found that only 1/3 of American women were aware of the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of female deaths in the country. These new numbers show a significant increase since that time. In 2012, 56% of women correctly named heart disease when asked to identify the leading cause of death.
The survey also involved much more in-depth data, including demographics that will help the AHA better target awareness campaigns in the future. For example, the lowest levels of awareness were reported among women ages 25-34.
Other interesting findings:
- Married women and those living with a partner are far more likely to be aware of cardiac health risks. Their awareness is reported at 64%, while awareness among single, divorced and widowed women appears equal. For each of these groups, awareness is estimated at 12%.
- Household income seems to play an interesting part, in that awareness appears highest at either end of the spectrum. Women in household making more than $75,000 per year reported 28% awareness, and those in households making less than $35,000 per year reported 25% awareness. The two income groups surveyed in between reported awareness at 15% or lower, and 20% of respondents chose not to answer income questions.
- Understandably, having a family history of heart disease raises a woman’s cardiac health awareness. Those with this history have 52% awareness. Other groups with higher levels of awareness include those who are overweight at 45% and those who have high blood pressure at 35%.
- The most common incorrect answer to the question regarding the leading cause of death in women was cancer, given by 24% of respondents.
- The most common preventative actions women reported taking regarding their cardiac health were maintaining blood pressure and seeing a doctor, both at 78%. Higher fiber intake, consuming antioxidants and monitoring cholesterol level were also common answers at 66%.
The importance of well woman care
These numbers serve to underscore the importance of well woman care, and the duty of providers to make sure that patients know the risks to their cardiac health. This survey shows that we are making strides in the area, but with barely over half of American women knowing the facts about heart disease, we clearly have a long way to go.
