One in four women in Ireland dies from heart disease or stroke despite perception that heart failure is a men’s health issue
Karen MacLaughlin, a 56-year-old Dublin mother of three, survived a major heart attack in 2020 despite having no apparent risk factors. Diagnosed with heart failure, she now lives with an internal defibrillator and manages her fear of recurring symptoms. She attributes her heart attack to prolonged stress. Her story was shared at the launch of three projects in Ireland focused on protecting and improving heart health in women, who account for one in four deaths from heart disease or stroke in the country. The projects address social determinants of health, prevention, and early diagnosis of heart failure in women.
