Health x Wellness
Empowering Women’s Heart Health: Insights from the Singapore Heart Foundation 2024 Survey
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a formidable adversary, silently claiming lives across the globe.
In Singapore, where heart health is a critical concern, the Singapore Heart Foundation has recently unveiled eye-opening findings from its Women’s Heart Health Survey. These results underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness and community support to combat CVD among women.
Addressing the Gap in CVD Awareness
Despite being the leading cause of death for women worldwide, CVD remains shrouded in misconceptions. Astonishingly, about 40 percent of respondents in the Women’s Heart Health Survey mistakenly believed that breast cancer posed a greater threat.
The reality, however, is stark: CVD claims the lives of 8.6 million women annually globally, and it accounts for one in three female deaths in Singapore.
Community Support: A Catalyst for Change
Exercise—our heart’s best friend—is universally acknowledged as crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. Yet, over 86 percent of surveyed women struggle to meet the recommended 150 to 300 minutes of weekly exercise. Limited time, work fatigue, and plain old laziness often stand in the way.
But here’s the heartwarming twist: community support can be a game-changer. When women exercise alongside partners, family, or friends, their motivation soars. An encouraging 83 percent reported increased drive when accompanied, and 86 percent expressed a willingness to encourage others to stay active. These findings highlight the power of community-driven initiatives in overcoming exercise barriers.
Making Heart Health More Accessible
Knowledge is empowerment, especially when it comes to heart health. Unfortunately, only 16 percent of women consider themselves well-informed about heart disease.
Curiously, those aged 50 to 64—the very group most vulnerable to CVD—lag behind in awareness.
Additionally, obtaining accurate information on heart disease and stroke remains a challenge for many women.
The recent survey showed that only 16 percent of women consider themselves well-informed about heart disease. Many expressed uncertainties about heart health assessment and the information available on heart disease. The majority noted that heart disease assessment was not routinely discussed during their medical appointments.
Dr. Chan Wan Xian, Cardiologist and Chairperson of the Go Red for Women Committee at the Singapore Heart Foundation, emphasises the crucial role of community engagement in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among women
The Singapore Heart Foundation has a revamped outreach strategy that includes expanding exercise-related content across social media and their website, making heart health accessible and actionable for women.
In the coming months, SHF will roll out targeted initiatives to close the gaps identified in the Women’s Heart Health Survey 2024.
Event photo credit to The Singapore Heart Foundation; Photo by Lucas George Wendt on Unsplash
