A recent survey by Croí, the Heart & Stroke Charity in Ireland, in collaboration with the Global Heart Hub (GHH), has uncovered a worrying lack of awareness about heart attack symptoms among women in Ireland.¹
Despite cardiovascular disease being one of the leading causes of death among Irish women, claiming the lives of 1 in 4,² the findings show that women remain less informed about the associated risks and warning signs compared to men.¹
While many participants believed they could recognise the signs of a heart attack, only 3% were able to correctly name all the relevant symptoms, and fewer than 1% could do so without including incorrect ones. Alarmingly, only half of the respondents knew that heart attack symptoms in women may differ from those in men. The survey, conducted in March 2025, included 502 women aged 18 and over from across Ireland.¹
In response, Croí and GHH have launched the “Her Final Search” campaign, aimed at educating the public about the unique symptoms of heart attacks in women. Using a powerful series of social media videos, the campaign highlights the final online searches made by women who tragically died from heart disease or heart attacks—an effort to inform others about symptoms that often go unrecognised, such as jaw, neck, and back pain.³
The campaign is inspired by the heartbreaking story of Lynn Witham, a 60-year-old UK woman found deceased next to her tablet, where she had been searching online for signs of a heart attack. Lynn was more than a statistic—she was a devoted sister and aunt, known for her warmth and generosity. Her niece, Rosie Morgan, said, “There needs to be more awareness around heart attack symptoms in women. Had my amazing auntie known these symptoms, she may have asked for advice and, as a result, still be with us today. Trust your instinct when it comes to your health—don’t wait to seek help, time is precious.”
Globally, heart disease remains the number one killer of women, with coronary heart disease claiming more than twice as many lives as breast cancer.⁴ Yet many women still lack crucial knowledge about its symptoms, often waiting an average of 37 minutes longer than men to seek emergency care during a heart attack.⁵
Annie Faherty Costelloe, Head of Patient Community Engagement at Croí, stressed the urgency of the campaign: “Heart attack symptoms in women tend to be more subtle, making them harder to recognise and treat. Knowing there is so little awareness has compelled us to bridge the gap and work harder to educate women across Ireland about symptoms they might otherwise ignore.”
Neil Johnson, Executive Director of GHH, added, “These awareness gaps result in heart conditions being diagnosed too late, misdiagnosed, or missed entirely, leading to thousands of preventable deaths each year. This campaign aims to help women better understand their risk and recognise key symptoms—because with today’s technology, the right online search could lead to a life-saving diagnosis.”
About Croí Heart & Stroke Charity
Established in 1985, Croí is a registered Irish Heart and Stroke Charity. Croí’s mission is to prevent heart disease and stroke, save lives, and empower and support people, families, communities, and future generations to take control of their health and well-being. The Croí Heart and Stroke Centre, opened in Galway in November 2012, is a leading centre for heart and stroke prevention, research, education, support, and rehabilitation.
About Global Heart Hub
Global Heart Hub is the first global non-profit organisation established to provide a voice for those living with or affected by cardiovascular disease.
Global Heart Hub are an alliance of heart patient organisations, aiming to create a unified global voice for those living with or affected by heart disease.
