The number of middle-aged women having heart attacks is on the increase in Europe, experts have warned.

According to the European Cardiology Society (ECS), while there have been big improvements in the heart health of Europeans in recent years, many women still associate cardiovascular disease with men and do not consider themselves at risk.

However heart disease remains the biggest killer of women in every EU country, including Ireland.

Furthermore, while most heart attacks occur in women over the age of 70, recent European research showed an increase in risk among middle-aged women.

According to ECS spokesperson, Prof Angela Maas, many women ‘mistakenly believe that they are protected from heart disease by their oestrogen hormones'.

She noted that while most heart disease-related deaths are among smokers and factors such as genetics can play a role, there are other ways that women can increase their risk, such as by leading a sedentary lifestyle.

"Eighty percent of cardiovascular disease can be avoided. Women can prevent heart disease by maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout their entire lives, by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, avoiding stress, maintaining a normal weight and not smoking," Prof Maas explained.

Women are also advised to have their cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure checked on a regular basis, particularly after the menopause when the risk of heart disease rises significantly in females.

They should also be aware of the signs of a heart attack, which can include pain in the chest, neck or left arm or sudden breathlessness.

Prof Maas noted that even though heart disease is the biggest killer of women, ‘there is a great lack of knowledge among cardiologists on the insights in gender differences in cardiovascular disease that have been passed over for the last 20 years'.

"In the development of new medical therapies, female patients are still underrepresented. As cardiology has reached many technical developments, we need to focus more on female patients," she added.

The ECS made its comments to coincide with International Women's Day (March 8).

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