Scots women are more concerned about breast cancer than having a heart attack - despite three times as many dying from ischaemic heart disease.

Research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) discovered 57 per cent of women were concerned about their risk of developing breast cancer, while just 51 per cent held fears over suffering a heart attack.

There are currently around 100,000 women in the country living with ischaemic heart disease, which includes heart attacks and angina, and kills around 2,600 women a year - or more shockingly - seven every day.

The BHF on Monday revealed their latest report, ‘Bias and Biology’, in a bid to raise awareness of heart disease amongst women.

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The charity claim that the common perception that heart disease affects mainly men, leads to women being less likely to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack and more likely to delay seeking help, which can cost lives.

Professor Colin Berry, professor of cardiology and imaging at the University of Glasgow and Golden Jubilee National Hospital director of research and development, said: “We know that women often wait longer before calling 999 after first experiencing heart attack symptoms. But that delay can dramatically reduce the chance of survival. Women may be less likely to receive a timely diagnosis and, even after the event, women are less likely to be offered cardiac rehabilitation to improve their recovery. It is incumbent on us all to work together to address these issues to help save and improve lives.”

Symptoms of a heart attack can include, but are not limited to: central chest pain or discomfort in your chest that suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away, pain similar to that of indigestion, and feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of breath.

See bhf.org.uk/women-scotland.