A NEW survey has revealed that Welsh women are in the dark about their risk of heart disease.

The British Heart Foundation carried out the survey of more than 4,300 adults and warned that this lack of awareness could be costing lives.

Heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer and almost 2,500 women in Wales die from heart disease each year.

Around 55,000 women are currently living with heart disease in Wales.

But the survey found that only 11 percent of women in Wales over 50 said their doctor had discussed the issue of heart disease with them.

It also showed that less than half of Welsh women said they would call 999 immediately if they were suffering the symptoms of a heart attack and five percent said they would ignore the symptoms and carry on.

Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said all women over 40 are entitled to a free health check which take just a few minutes.

He said: "The truth is too many lives are lost each year to a killer which is largely preventable. We need to help Welsh women look after their hearts now and protect their health in the future."

Julie Chouhan, 52, of Pontymason Rise, Newport, suffered a heart attack in July 2009 and underwent a quintuple bypass at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, a month later.

She had been experiencing pain four days before the heart attack particularly when walking and swimming.

She admitted to leaving it three days before going to see her GP who told her it was indigestion and nothing to worry about as she was young and fit.

"I thought it was indigestion and didn't want to inconvenience people," she said.

But Mrs Chouhan then felt very faint and nauseous while walking upstairs at home and her husband called an ambulance.

She said: "I always looked after my diet and tried to do some type of fitness but it was such a shock."

She said high cholesterol runs in her family but that there was no history of heart attacks.

Mrs Chouhan underwent rehab but said most of these sessions were geared to older people.

She said heart attacks are usually associated with older men and said people need to be more aware of the symptoms and be encouraged to have cholesterol tests more regularly.

Stars out to help raise awareness

The charity has released the results of the survey as part of the Angina Monologues campaign.

Some of the UK's top comedians will perform the Angina Monologues on Sunday in London to raise awareness of heart diseases in women.

The show will also be screened at Vue Cwmbran on the same night.

For tickets, see www.anginamonologues.co.uk