Call on Cork women to attend heart health webinar 

Women across Cork are being encouraged to attend a national webinar aimed at protecting heart health.

The event, organised by the Irish Heart Foundation, will take place from 12.30pm to 1.45pm on World Heart Day, September 29.

The free webinar comes as new research shows a lack of motivation, stress and concern that health checks are too expensive, therefore preventing women from protecting their cardiovascular health.

Data gathered by IPSOS, a leading market research organisation, for the Her Heart Matters campaign, supported by the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Fund and the Health Service Executive (HSE), shows that only half of women (51%) say they know the symptoms of heart disease and stroke.

Broadcaster Maura Derrane will be the MC for the online webinar, entitled ‘Her Heart Matters 2025: How every woman can take charge of her heart health’, which will feature Dr Louise Fitzgerald, a GP and clinical lead in menopause and occupational health.

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

The event will also feature an address from 53-year-old Sharon Butler from Mahon, who previously suffered from a heart attack.

Janis Morrissey, who is the director of health promotion with the Irish Heart Foundation, said that women in Cork are being asked to take stock of where they are at and understand what factors impact their heart health.

“Even one small change can make a huge difference,” said Ms Morrissey.

“It seems for many, life and lack of time is getting in the way, but it’s not about a drastic overhaul of lifestyle.

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

For more information, or to register for the event, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3e8nczkx.