Most women mistakenly believe that breast cancer is the leading cause of death among females, underestimating heart disease as the nation's biggest killer.

Results of a Newspoll survey released show awareness around heart disease and what causes it is "dangerously low" among a nationally representative sample of Australian women.

Heart disease claims the lives of 30 Australian women every day, almost 11,000 a year, yet only 30 per cent of those questioned named it as the biggest killer, with most naming breast cancer, which kills about 2,600 annually.

"It is a common misconception that heart disease is a 'male problem', with women tending to dismiss their symptoms and not seek help until the condition becomes serious", said Cameron Prout, chief executive of the Heart Foundation, which commissioned the research.

"But heart disease should not be underestimated.

"It is a real issue for all women and younger women should heed our warning and take action now to reduce their risk."

The survey of 1,300 women, also showed that while about half were aware smoking, saturated fat and obesity were major risk factors for heart disease, other causes were little known.
 

Mr Prout said it was a concern that only 11 per cent of those questioned recognised high blood pressure as a risk factor, while 19 per cent recognised high cholesterol and six per cent recognised diabetes.

Only 18 per cent thought alcohol could be a contributing factor.

Health guidelines list smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, diabetes and excessive alcohol as the leading contributors to heart disease.

Age, a family history of heart disease and a previous heart attack also increase risk.

The Heart Foundation is promoting heart check-ups for women as part of its Go Red for Women awareness campaign. The promotion calls on women to get a heart disease risk assessment, learn their cholesterol numbers, quit smoking, eat well and exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Source : AAP