In the last six months, a heart screening package offered by Changi General Hospital had 65 takers. Out of the 65, a measly five were women.

It's a stark demonstration of how unaware women are of their risk of heart disease, said DrJanncy Wong, a health screening physician at CGH.

A survey by the Singapore Heart Foundation last year showed that a significant percentage of local women aged 50 to 64 thought that they were not at risk of heart disease.

The truth is that in Singapore, one in three women dies of heart disease and stroke. Early screening could prevent this, by identifying risk factors and helping women take charge of their health, said Dr Wong.

The risk factors for women are much the same as for men: smoking, family history of heart ailments, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and lack of exercise.

Dr Wong said women are so focused on breast and womb health that they probably pay less attention to their hearts.

Cardiologist Goh Ping Ping agrees that there is a surprising lack of awareness among women of their risk of heart disease. 'Somehow, they seem to associate it more with men,' she said.

This could be because women are protected to some extent by the female hormone, oestrogen. That protective effect, however, falls away after menopause.

Dr Goh believes women should go for a heart screening test in their 40s, before menopause begins. 'This way,' she said, 'you can identify risk factors and prevent disease.'

Unfortunately, many women do not seek help until they experience symptoms like chest pain, or suffer a heart attack. By then, a lot of damage would have been done.

In fact, studies show that women are less likely to survive a heart attack when compared to men.

Dr Goh said many middle-aged women slip into sedentary lifestyles and become complacent about their weight and blood pressure.

'It takes time and motivation to deal with risk factors,' she said. 'I think hearing it from a professional can be a great wake-up call.'

E-mail: sshefali@sph.com.sg

For more information

Changi General Hospital is offering the Heart Health for Women screening package from now till July 31 in line with the Singapore Heart Foundation's Go Red for Women campaign on women's heart health.

The package costs $208, including GST and includes cardiac risk assessment, cardiovascular examination, tests for body mass index, blood pressure, resting ECG, liver enzyme (Alanine Transaminase), treadmill exercise, full lipids (cholesterol) profile, and a medical report, with further referral and management if necessary.

Appointments & inquiries: 6850-3333

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