A guide on the impact menopause has on heart health has been launched for women with intellectual disabilities
The Irish Heart Foundation designed the ‘Menopause and Your Heart Health’ resource, providing important information about the effect of menopause on cardiovascular health and the steps needed to protect overall heart health.
Earlier research from Trinity College Dublin found that women with intellectual disabilities experience menopause earlier – at around age 48 on average – compared to an average age of 51 in the general population, with an even earlier age of around 44 years for women with Down Syndrome.
The findings also showed that less than half of women with an intellectual disability know what menopause is and what the symptoms are, a possible contributary factor to people with intellectual disabilities being at increased risk of death from heart disease and stroke.
The new health literacy and easy-read resource was developed in partnership with Inclusion Ireland and Ability West and was launched at an event in Darmagh Community Centre in Tullamore yesterday. (May26)
It was co-designed with disability day service users over three workshops to ensure the format, imagery, language and topics covered were the most appropriate, relevant and informative to that audience.
‘Menopause and Your Heart Health’ is presented in easy-read format and has three sections covering important concepts that the audience needs to be familiar with, an explanation of the link between menopause and heart health and information and support on the steps that can be taken to look after heart health.
It is designed for readers to take a three-step modular approach to learning about menopause and heart health.
Janis Morrissey, Deputy CEO & Director of Services at the Irish Heart Foundation said: “Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of premature death and disability among both men and women in this country and improving health literacy is a vital step in prevention and early intervention.
“As an organisation, we are dedicated to improving health equity by recognising and addressing gaps in the current heart health information landscape.
“We are here for all individuals, here for every community, here for every heartbeat.”
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death and disability in Ireland and was responsible for 28% of all deaths in 2024.
One in four women dies from heart disease and stroke, with menopause a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women.
Over the past four years, the Irish Heart Foundation has run the ‘Her Heart Matters’ national awareness and behaviour change campaign.
Last year, with the help of the Department of Health Women’s Health Fund, the charity was able to specifically target marginalised women, with Traveller women and women with disabilities identified as priority groups.
In Ireland, 110,000 people or 2% of the population have an intellectual disability with about 34,600 people in Disability Day Services.
Now in its 60th year of leading the fight against cardiovascular disease, ‘Menopause and Your Heart Health’ is another example of the Irish Heart Foundation’s commitment to tackling health inequality in communities across Ireland.
*Menopause and Your Heart Health is available from the Irish Heart Foundation and online at irishheart.ie. Copies will also be available through Inclusion Ireland and Ability West and relevant community groups across Offaly in the coming weeks.
