Heart disease is generally seen as a ‘male issue’, but cardiac issues are the leading cause of death for all people in New Zealand, including women. Statistics from The Heart Foundation put it at more than 55 women a week - or around 3,000 a year - are dying of heart disease, while over 65,000 women are believed to be living with some form of it. Broadcaster and co-host of the Herald’s The Little Things podcast, Francesca Rudkin, has first-hand knowledge of this, having learnt in recent years that she is at risk of heart disease.
One coronary angiogram she had done recently placed here in the 90th percentile rank..