Physical inactivity biggest heart disease risk factor for women over 30

Australian women are putting their heart health at risk by not being active enough – and the National Heart Foundation of Australia is urging women to get moving as Go Red for Women month comes to an end.

Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundation’s campaign during June to raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of Australian women.

National Heart Foundation spokesperson on women’s health, Julie Anne Mitchell said physical inactivity is one of the biggest lifestyle risk factors for heart disease facing Australian women over 30.

Mitchell stated "physical inactivity is the only risk factor where women fare worse than men with almost 60% of women not sufficiently active for health compared with just 54% of men.

“Close to five million Australian women - aged 18+ - are doing very little or no exercise at all.

"Some of the issues, like time and cost, are familiar, but one of the strongest concerns women have is fear of judgment. They worry about being the wrong size, not fit enough or not skilled enough.

“Women need to remember that little changes can make a big difference."

The Heart Foundation recommends starting with small manageable steps such as choosing social outings that involve an element of physical activity, taking the stairs over the lift, parking further away from work or getting off public transport a stop earlier can help increase your physical activity levels.

Physical inactivity contributes to almost one quarter of the burden of cardiovascular disease in Australia (24%). It is exceeded only by high blood pressure (42%) and high blood cholesterol levels (34%) yet is a risk factor often overlooked in prevention efforts.

According the Heart Foundation’s Blueprint for an Active Australia, the benefits for being physically active are numerous with women who increase their walking distance and speed being found to have lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease, type-2-diabetes and all-cause mortality.

Mitchell adds "despite the image we have of ourselves as an active nation, the data tells a different story. Our busy and highly mechanised lifestyles make avoiding prolonged sitting and finding time to participate in structured exercise more and more challenging.

“Our message to women is clear. Move more, sit less and your heart will thank you."

Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundation’s annual awareness and fundraising campaign that shines a light on the area of heart disease in women.

For more information www.goredforwomen.org.au or join in the conversation online #GoRed #WeWillBeRed.

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