Women in Mayo encouraged to join heart health webinar

Women in Mayo are being encouraged to register for a national webinar aimed at giving them the practical tools, confidence and inspiration to protect their heart health.

The Irish Heart Foundation-organised free online event on World Heart Day (September 29) comes as new research shows lack of motivation, stress and a concern that health checks are too expensive are preventing women from protecting their cardiovascular health.

The Ipsos data for the charity’s Her Heart Matters campaign, which is supported by the Department of Health Women’s Health Fund and the HSE, also shows that just over half of women (51%) say they know the symptoms of heart disease and stroke.

Broadcaster Maura Derrane will MC the online webinar entitled ‘Her Heart Matters 2025: How Every Woman Can Take Charge of Her Heart Health’, which will feature Dr. Louise Fitzgerald, GP and clinical lead in menopause and occupational health.

It will explore the key symptoms of heart disease and stroke in women – how they can differ from men, how life stages like menopause affect your heart, and practical, realistic steps to help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

The event will also feature the compelling personal story of 53-year-old Sharon Butler from Mahon in Cork, who never imagined that a quiet birthday celebration in 2019 would mark the beginning of a life-altering journey.

“It was my 46th birthday. My daughter Robyn and I had been shopping, had lunch and came home. I was trying on a new pair of shoes when I felt this sudden rush up my chest and a pain in my oesophagus. I thought it was indigestion.”

Sharon’s colour had changed, and the pain was not passing. Despite her protests, Robyn rang Sharon’s partner James, who had just started his medical internship.

He told Sharon: “Women can present differently with heart attacks, and it does sound like you’re having a heart attack.”

They went directly to A&E in a taxi and after six hours and numerous tests, a doctor confirmed she had suffered a heart attack.

The next day, Sharon underwent an angiogram. It was then that she first heard the term SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) – an uncommon emergency condition in which a ‘tear’ happens within the layers of the wall of the artery. This leads to blood becoming trapped within the artery, forming a clot and causing a partial or complete blockage.

Sharon got in touch with the Irish Heart Foundation for support and continues to work with them today.

Janis Morrissey, the Irish Heart Foundation’s Director of Health Promotion, said that what women in Mayo are being asked to do is take stock of where they are at and understand what factors impact their heart health.

“Even one small change can make a huge difference,” she said. “It seems for many, life and lack of time is getting in the way, but it’s not about a drastic overhaul of lifestyle, just (getting women) to ask themselves questions such as: Am I stressed? Am I active? How is my diet? Do I smoke? When did I last have my blood pressure checked?

“The webinar will give us a space to talk, share and empower each other; to speak openly about heart health, share experiences, and support each other to take action.”

Registration for the webinar, which runs from 12.30 to 1.45 p.m. on September 29, is available at www.eventbrite.ie.