Survey indicates Brazilians’ awareness of heart health
An online questionnaire completed by 2,000 people across Brazil reveals that healthy habits for the heart are a common concern among Brazilians.
Conducted between August 25 and September 2 by the Ipsos Institute at the request of the pharmaceutical company Novartis, the survey found that 64 percent of respondents had adopted new lifestyle habits for heart health. The importance of these habits was also evident: 76 percent of respondents said they were aware that heart attacks can be prevented, and 72 percent reported knowing someone who had experienced a heart attack.
Among respondents who reported changing their routine for their health, 70 percent began eating healthier, 64 percent started exercising, and 45 percent engaged in activities to reduce stress.
When asked by Ipsos to comment on the survey, cardiologist Maria Cristina Izar - president of the São Paulo State Cardiology Society (Socesp) and scientific director of the Women’s Cardiology Department of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology - welcomed some of the results.
“This survey shows that people are better informed and more interested in preserving heart health by adopting healthier behaviors. This is an important step forward, considering that our life expectancy has changed and prevention is the key to healthy aging,” said the cardiologist.
On the other hand, although 82 percent of respondents were aware that heart attacks can affect all age groups, 51 percent were unaware that the symptoms differ between men and women.
“This means we need to address this topic more effectively and inform the population about this difference. Instead of the classic chest pain, women may experience extreme fatigue, nausea, back or neck pain, or shortness of breath as signs of a heart attack. In fact, because these symptoms are considered atypical for heart disease, they are often attributed to stress or anxiety, which can delay diagnosis and proper treatment for women,” warns the cardiologist.
Tests
Another positive finding was that 77 percent of respondents know there is more than one type of cholesterol, and 82 percent recognize that high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can occur at any age.
More than half of respondents (55%) also know that high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) increase the risk of a heart attack, and eight out of ten have already had a blood test to measure their cholesterol.
Among those who have had cholesterol tests, 77 percent take the results to a specialist.
For Maria Cristina Izar, it is concerning that some of the respondents do not always bring their test results to a doctor for evaluation. “After taking a test, it is important to show the results so the doctor can interpret them correctly and prescribe the appropriate treatment,” she said.
