Brits miss the beat with their heart health
This World Heart Day (29th September), new research from Vitality Health Insurance highlights a worrying knowledge gap amongst Brits when it comes to their heart health. The business found a whopping 68% of Brits are unable to confidently list the common signs of heart disease, and even heart attacks, despite over one in three (35%) reporting they have previously experienced symptoms such as tightness or pain in their chest.
While an impressive 92% of Brits state they actively make positive lifestyle choices to support their heart health, misconceptions unfortunately still abound. Nearly one in five (17%) believe heart disease only effects people who are overweight or in bad health and 15% don’t think it's an concern until later in life.
But the signs of heart trouble aren’t always obvious. Many Brits are unaware of less common symptoms that could indicate a heart problem, such as leg pain (12%), stomach pain (16%), swollen ankles (18%), indigestion (16%), and persistent coughing or wheezing (19%). Although not always a cause for concern, symptoms should be discussed with a doctor if they persist.
THE TOP 10 LEAST KNOWN POTENTIAL SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK OR HEART DISEASE INCLUDE:
- Weight gain or weight loss (10%)
- Leg pain (12%)
- Stomach pain or indigestion (16%)
- Swollen ankles (18%)
- Coughing / wheezing (19%)
- Jaw pain or a choking feeling (25%)
- Extreme tiredness (26%)
- Nausea (27%)
- A feeling of anxiety that can feel like a panic attack (33%)
- Sweating (46%)
Despite this knowledge gap, over a quarter (26%) admit to overthinking symptoms when it comes to their heart, and more than one in ten (14%) have misdiagnosed themselves, thinking they were having a heart attack when it was something less sinister. Of these people, 25% have mistaken a panic attack for a heart attack, 19% have mistaken heart burn, and even one in ten (11%) have wrongly attributed symptoms of a hangover to be a heart attack.
Vitality is encouraging people to better their understanding of their heart health, with these misconceptions extending beyond symptoms. Over a third (36%) of Brits are unable to correctly identify where their heart lies - slightly to the left of the chest, and 15% believe they don’t need to worry about heart disease or a heart attack as it doesn’t run in the family.
However, despite these misunderstandings, 65% of Brits do want to improve their heart health. 45% say they do so by drinking alcohol in moderation, managing stress levels (39%) and monitoring their cholesterol levels (26%), however 29% are unsure where to start when it comes to cardiovascular wellbeing.
Dr Rosie Godeseth, who was a Cardiologist before becoming Associate Medical Director at Vitality Health, shares her expert tips for maintaining a healthy heart, and why it’s important not to put off caring for your heart until you are older:
“It’s great to see that so many people are making healthy choices to improve their heart health, but the misconceptions around who is more or less likely to suffer from heart disease is concerning as it suggests people don’t fully understand the risks and lifetsyle changes to reduce these. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the cause of 1 in 4 UK deaths, and just over 7 million people in the UK suffer from heart and CVD diseases - twice as high as the number of people living with cancer and Alzheimer’s combined.
“It’s therefore really important not to assume heart health is something that should only be considered, or focused on, once you’re older as the actions we make today go a huge way in preventing illness in the future. In fact, 80% heart disease and strokes are preventable. By regularly taking the following steps, you improve your heart health for the long-term:
- Healthy Diet: Having a healthy balanced diet which consists of plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and fibre is key to having a healthy heart in the long term. It’s not about “good” and “bad” food, instead it's about making regular choices, that limit ultra-processed foods and focus on having a balanced diet. Incorporating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and fibre is particularly impactful in strengthening your heart.
- Physical activity: Being active can reduce your risk of CVD by 35%, as it helps to control blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol, and can control your blood glucose levels.
- Avoid tobacco: Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared with those who have never smoked. If you are a smoker, giving up is one of the biggest things you can do to help your heart. It can be very difficult to give up, but you can speak to your GP who will be able to advise on how best to start.
- Know your numbers: Keeping track of your cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure can be a great way to detect early warning signs and can help you identify any changes over time you might be unaware of otherwise.”
Notes to editors
*Data from Vitality’s Health Claims and Insights report showing cancer claims among Vitality members per 1000 lives in 2023.
**Research was conducted by Opinium for Vitality by 2,000 UK respondents aged 18+, in August 2024.