Women born before this year 'mostly unaware' of their risk of killer disease

Health professionals have sounded the alarm over a major killer disease that people frequently underestimate. Research from at-home testing company PocDoc reveals that many women don't recognise the seriousness of one health condition that affects more than 3.6 million women in the UK.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of females globally. The study discovered that seven out of 10 women are unaware that the illness represents the primary cause of female mortality, while a quarter believe CVD predominantly affects men.

Dr Kate Bunyan, lead clinical director at PocDoc, warned: "For too long, heart disease has been perceived as a male issue, and as a result, thousands of women are missing vital opportunities for early detection and prevention. Our research shows that the majority of women are unaware of their risk, aren't attending regular health checks, and may delay seeking help when symptoms appear."

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The investigation revealed that there is a particular lack of awareness that CVD is the top cause of death among the group who are most at risk of getting the disease: women over 55 - so those born before 1970. The study also discovered that women frequently believe they face greater health dangers from breast cancer, mental health conditions or ovarian cancer, than from CVD.

Nearly two-thirds of women don't have regular health checks or screenings, while over 80 percent fail to take consistent steps to monitor or reduce their CVD risk. PocDoc offers a Healthy Heart Check, a simple finger-prick blood test that will tell you your heart age and cholesterol levels.

Take control of your heart health

Steve Roest, co-founder and CEO of PocDoc, said: "By providing accessible, quick, and accurate tools like the Healthy Heart Check, we can empower women to take control of their heart health, identify risk factors early, and access vital care pathways when needed. Ultimately, our mission is to prevent avoidable health conditions and save lives, one test at a time."

The NHS website provides information about cardiovascular disease (CVD), explaining that this is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. It's often linked with the accumulation of fatty deposits inside the arteries and an increased risk of blood clots.

The guidance states: "CVD is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK, but it can often largely be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle." There are several 'risk factors' that can increase your chances of developing the disease.

These include smoking, high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes. You may also have greater risk if you don't get regular exercise, or if you are overweight or obese.

Regular NHS health checks

People aged over 40 will be invited for an NHS Health Check every five years. This free check-up includes looking at the health of your heart and blood vessels.

It can let you know if you are at a higher risk of certain health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or stroke.