Women and heart disease

Heart disease is the number one killer of New Zealand women, killing nearly 60 Kiwi women every week. There are currently more than 65,000 New Zealand women living with heart disease.¹

Sadly, two Kiwi woman die from a heart attack every day – more than 900 Kiwi women die from one each year.²

But despite these sobering statistics, many women are unaware that they are also at risk of heart disease.

Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart. The term ‘heart disease’ is often used interchangeably with the term ‘cardiovascular disease,’ which refers to all diseases of the heart and circulation. These include coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, congenital heart disease and stroke.

While there is no one cause of heart disease, there are several factors that increase risk. Just a few simple lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier diet and participating in regular physical activity, can help every women reduce their risk.

It’s also important to be aware of heart disease and heart attack symptoms. These can present themselves differently in women than in men, which can lead to a delay in seeking medical help.

Find out more by downloading the fact sheets below.

Professor Annemarie Hennessy’s Vascular Immunology team is investigating ways to safely prolong pregnancy without premature delivery by studying placental growth and the pharmacology of aspirin.

Dr Clare Arnott, a visiting scientist with the Clinical Research team, has established NSW’s first Women’s Heart Clinic which focuses on gender-specific risk factors such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. She leverages her science research using HRI’s state-of-the-art facilities.