LIPSTICK was conducted to determine the level of cardiovascular knowledge held by Canadian women, as well as awareness of risk factors, including high cholesterol.  LIPSTICK explored women’s perceptions and understanding of heart disease to improve management of high cholesterol. 

 

A total of 2,000 Canadian women aged 40-plus answered an on-line survey in the spring of 2008.  Results of a sample this size comprised of Canadians can be considered accurate to +/- 2.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.  LIPSTICK was undertaken by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada and conducted by Leger Marketing.  LIPSTICK was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Canada Inc.

 

Results from the LIPitor: Women’S InsighTs Into Cholesterol Knowledge (LIPSTICK) survey: Nearly all Canadian women aged 40-plus (94 per cent)  say that having healthy cholesterol levels are important to them, the reality is that cholesterol is not top-of-mind.  According to LIPSTICK, nearly half of women surveyed (46 per cent) spend the most time thinking about their weight, versus only five per cent who think about their cholesterol levels.   In fact, only one-in-ten women surveyed knew their personal LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels, versus the more than six-in-ten women (64 per cent) who know how much they weighed in high school.

LIPSTICK further revealed that four-in-ten women aged 40-plus have not had their cholesterol checked in the past year, despite the risk of elevated cholesterol and heart disease increasing with age.   Moreover, although three-in-ten Canadian women surveyed have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, one-in-six of those do not get their cholesterol levels checked on a yearly basis.
“While LIPSTICK shows that Canadian women realize having healthy cholesterol levels is important, many are still not getting tested on a regular basis.  Knowing all your risk factors, including cholesterol levels, is an important step in the prevention of heart disease,” says Dr. Nahid Azad, Associate Professor, University of Ottawa and a member of the FMWC.  “The good news is it is never too late to take action.  Women need to work with their physician to identify their personal risk, and steps they can take to reduce their chances of cardiovascular disease, through diet and lifestyle changes, and medication if necessary.

 

Please click here for the full Lipstick Report

Please click here for the Women and Cardiovascular Disease Fact Sheet