Alex Greaney
Research from Blackrock Health highlights how potentially life-threatening cardiac symptoms are often ignored and passed off as a sign of ageing
Research carried out by Blackrock Health has found that women are almost half as likely to seek medical attention for heart related symptoms than men. Only 16% of women claimed that they went to a hospital A&E to address heart related symptoms, versus 31% of men.
The findings revealed that heart related symptoms are often dismissed as a sign of ageing amid confusion over what constitutes an urgent cardiac issue. The research, conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,010 members of the general public aged 18 and over, found that 25% of people took no action when they experienced heart related symptoms, and 24% thought their symptoms were a general symptom of getting older.
Concerningly, nearly 1 in 5 people (18%) surveyed, ignored potentially life-threatening cardiac symptoms, as they thought they would improve in time. As part of their ongoing Show Your Heart Some Love campaign, Blackrock Health is encouraging people to learn more about potentially concerning cardiac health symptoms.
Some of the common signs of cardiac issues that people should look out for include:
- Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, chest discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pale grey or blue skin or lips
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, or back
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting
- Change in heartbeat – slow, irregular, or racing
- Fluttering in the chest (palpitations)
- Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet
- Fatigue
The research found that while over three quarters (77%) of adults claim to have experienced one of the heart related symptoms outlined above, only 53% of those who have experienced cardiac symptoms claim they contacted their doctor.
- Legendary Q102 Presenter Aidan Cooney moves to new weekend slot
- Stewarts Care’s Christmas Wanderlights opens to the public
- Introducing the must-have innovative ‘ShapeLift’ Leggings by New Dimensions Active
- Dazzling Dublin Winter Lights switched on!
- Dublin, there is still time to make a child smile this Christmas!
