Two fifths of Welsh residents fear loved ones could be struck down with heart disease

Figures released as BHF Cymru urges everyone to Wear It Beat It for research –

Almost three quarters of people in Wales have someone in their family with risk factors that put them greater risk of heart disease, according to new statistics released ahead of the British Heart Foundation Cymru’s (BHF) Wear it. Beat it. campaign to get everyone wearing red to fight heart disease on Friday 5^th February. (1)

The BHF Cymru poll revealed almost two fifths of people in Wales (39%) fear that a loved one could be struck down with a potentially life-threatening heart attack or stroke in the future. Almost half (47%) have already lost someone or know a loved one affected by heart disease.

Despite this, almost two fifths (38%) of people in Wales said although they might worry about a loved one’s health they’re too afraid to talk to them about it.

Almost three quarters of people polled in Wales (74%) said they know someone in their family with one of the major risk factors for heart disease. Over half (51%) knew someone with high blood pressure, over a third (36%) knew someone with high cholesterol while the same again (36%) knew someone who is overweight or obese.

Yet over half (52%) of people in Wales say they’re reluctant to talk about health issues with loved ones for fear of upsetting someone.

Around 375,000 people are living with heart and circulatory disease in Wales.

BHF Cymru’s Wear it. Beat it. campaign aims to raise £1million this February 5^th to help fund new life saving research in the fight against heart disease. We’re calling on everyone to wear red and hold a fundraising event to help save more lives and protect more families from the devastation of heart disease.

Olwen Wilson, 73, from Cardiff, had to have surgery to fit a mechanical valve in her heart after one of her valves became damaged. This year she raised over £800 for BHF Cymru in memory of her husband Roger who had the same condition, by signing up to Wear it. Beat it. and holding a coffee morning in her living room.

Olwen, who has been fundraising for the charity for the past eight years, said: “It was such a shock to know that I had been walking around with this problem for I don’t know how long and would need open heart surgery.

“But doctors do amazing things these days, and having this condition is what bought me and my husband together and gave us 14 wonderful years of marriage.

“I’m so passionate about supporting BHF Cymru. My house was bursting at the seams when I held my coffee morning. I couldn’t believe it raised so much, but it just shows the simplest things can make such a big difference.”

Since 2009 the campaign has raised over £6million towards new cardiovascular science. Last year more than an incredible 23,000 people took part in Wear it. Beat it. and BHF Cymru is calling for even more of you to get involved this year to help raise £1million for life saving research.

Sign up online at www.bhf.org.uk/red or call 0300 330 0645 and get your free fundraising pack full of fun ideas about how to get involved.

Ruth Coombs, Head of BHF Cymru, said: “Heart disease can strike anyone at any age, without warning. That’s why it’s vital we do everything we can to reduce our risk and protect our hearts against these devastating conditions.

“This survey highlights just how important it is for us to talk about the UK’s biggest killer with our friends and family.

“Too many lives are cut short by heart disease every year. We urgently need to accelerate research into finding new ways to fight it. By signing up to Wear it. Beat it. you can help fund cutting-edge research to better understand, treat and predict who is at risk.”

For more information and to get your free fundraising kit visit www.bhf.org.uk/red or call 0300 3300645.