REDFEB 2023 Media

Why women suffer worse outcomes than men when it comes to heart disease

REDFEB is an annual Heart Research Australia event where we encourage people to wear RED and DONATE on behalf of someone they care about who has been impacted by heart disease. We aim to raise awareness for heart disease and much needed funds for research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Our 2023 campaign focused on raising awareness about the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of women with heart disease.

Most well known information surrounding heart disease has been focused on male specific symptoms and risk factors. Historically, medical research has been conducted in studies of men, with subsequent clinical guidelines, symptom checklists and treatments being tailored to men and being less effective for women. This means women are diagnosed with heart disease 7-10 years later than men and less likely to be referred for heart tests or heart surgery. What hasn’t been well publicised are the very clear and specific risk factors for women.

Heart Research Australia is proud to fund many female cardiologists and research projects changing the future of heart disease for men AND women and we are so thankful for all the wonderful support we have received this REDFEB to help continue this.

A huge thank you to Dr Monique Watts, a heart failure cardiologist and specialist in women’s heart disease, who donated her time to share an incredible amount of vital information to Australians this REDFEB. In addition, we are so grateful to the numerous media channels who allowed us to use their powerful platforms to share this life-saving message. Thank you to each and every person involved in these stories going to air and print. Some of the media segments and articles for REDFEB 2023 are featured below.

Thank you to all the individuals and organisations who got involved in REDFEB and generously donated funds, time, and their stories to help change the future of heart disease and keep families together for longer.

If you would like to share your story with heart disease to help us raise more awareness please email media@heartresearch.com.au.

Channel 7 – Sunrise

Cardiologist Dr Monique Watts spoke with the team from Sunrise about why women have worse consequences then men when it comes to heart disease.

Click here to watch the segment.

Channel 7 News

Heart Research Australia REDFEB supporter Sue Herbert came across our REDFEB campaign and knew she had to be involved. At the age of 58, Danny – husband to Sue, father of 3 and grandpa of 7 passed away from a heart attack. Sue and her family chose to support REDFEB – immediately knowing they had to be involved so their loss can make a difference to others.

The Herbert family and friends Paddled the Pallinup in WA and spent a weekend camping to honour Danny and raise funds for life saving research into heart disease. Together they have raised over $12,000 for life-saving research and a significant amount of awareness surrounding heart disease and the importance of getting checked out.

Sue and her family joined Heart Research Australia CEO Nicci Dent, and Cardiologist Dr Monique Watts to share their story and raise awareness this REDFEB.

Click here to view.

Channel 9 News

Heart disease sufferer Jessica shares her story with Channel 9 this REDFEB highlighting how the symptoms of heart disease for women can be different to men and helping encourage people to take symptoms seriously and get checked.

Click here to view.

Channel 10 – Studio 10

Heart Research Australia Communications Manager Jenny Bartrop joined Tristan MacManus and Angela Bishop at Studio 10 to discuss why women have worse consequences than men when it comes to heart attacks.

Click here to view.

Mamamia Podcast ‘The Quicky’

Heart Research Australia Communications Manager Jenny Bartrop speaks with Claire Murphy, host and producer of ‘The Quicky’ about the risk factors that specifically affect women, and what you can do to look after your heart health.

Click here to view.

The House of Wellness

Cardiologist Dr Monique Watts discuss the under diagnosis and under treatment of women when it comes to heart disease and why women are more likely to die, develop heart failure or have another heart attach than men within the five years following their heart attack.

Click here to view

The Australian

Megan O’Leary shares her heart attack experience this REDFEB to help raise awareness of the different warning signs and risk factors that women can experience when it comes to heart disease.

Click here to view the segment.

New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth

New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth shared her support for Heart Research Australia’s REDFEB by sharing vital information for women about their heart health including risk factors that can be unique to women. Sally supported us by sharing this information across both her Facebook and Instagram platforms, twice, as well as in her monthly newsletter. In addition she added the REDFEB donation link to her bio for the month of Feb. A true positive example of giving back to her supporters and community and we are so grateful for her support.

Click here to view

Woman’s Day

Understanding the risks, knowing the signs and what is your first step to protecting yourself from heart disease. Woman’s Day shared vital information about women’s heart health this REDFEB.

Take 5

Heart Research Australia ambassador Jen O’Neill, 43, shares her experience of suffering 3 heart attacks to help raise awareness for the different ways heart attacks can present for women, and the importance of trusting your body no matter what age and seeking urgent medical attention if you feel something is wrong.

You can read more of Jen’s story here.

That’s Life

In support of REDFEB, Madi Stewart, shares her experience of suffering 3 life-threatening cardiac arrests, caused by a ruptured aorta, at the age of just 17. A devastating story and experience that Madi kindly shares to encourage people to wear red and donate for REDFEB to help fight heart disease and keep families together.

Body + Soul

Call for women to remain vigilant over ‘silent’ health disorder. To read more click here.

9 Honey

Megan O’Leary shares her experience with heart disease. A passing comment made when getting a Pap Smear lead to testing showing four major blockages in her heart, two were 99 percent blockages and two were above 90 percent. A responsive GP and Megan trusting herself meant Megan is here today to share her story to help raise awareness for other women and funds for much needed research.

Click here to read.

Heart shock sparks health alarm for women

Heart disease sufferer Jessica shares her experience to raise awareness that women with heart disease are suffering poorer outcomes than men. Helping to break down the stigma about heart disease, Jessica is hoping that women do not delay seeking urgent medical attention and have regular check ups. With her heart issues being brought on by her pregnancy, Jessica urges women to share any pregnancy complications they may have had with their GP, as this can be a risk factor for women in developing heart disease

Click here to view the article.

Kate McGechan shares heart attack story for REDFEB

Kate shares the “terrifying” heart attack she experienced while home alone with her two young kids to help raise awareness for women this REDFEB and to highlight the early warning signs women can experience when they suffer a heart attack that should never be ignored.

Click here to read her story.

In addition to the media outlets above, a huge thank you to the below Newspapers for your incredible support this REDFEB.

It was a huge pleasure to chat to the below radio stations this REDFEB

  • ABC Radio Broken Hill
  • Vision Australia Radio
  • Koori radio
  • HIT 104.9FM Radio
  • 2SER FM Radio
  • River 94.9FM Radio
  • ABC Western Qld Radio
  • 2SM
  • ABC Radio Adelaide
  • Southern FM 88.3 Radio

A huge thank you to everyone involved in sharing so much life saving education for REDFEB 2023 and for raising funds for much needed life saving research. If you are able to spare a donation to enable our researchers to continue doing the incredible work they are doing, please donate at the bottom of this page.

If you would like to read more information on women and heart disease click here.

Together, we will change the future of heart disease.