Middle-aged Australians are putting their hearts at risk because their heads are still stuck in the sand when it comes to their health.
A poll of 1000 Australians, aged 45 and over, found many believe they're thinner, fitter and healthier than than they really are.
There's a clear disconnect between perception and reality when it comes to the three major risk factors for heart attack and stroke, Elizabeth Allen, president of Heart Support Australia - a national support group for those impacted by heart disease - warns.
According to the Galaxy poll commissioned by pharmaceutical company MSD just 37 per cent of respondents said they were either overweight or obese.
But Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show 72 per cent of over 45s are either overweight or obese.
Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they had high cholesterol. ABS figures show 41 per cent of middle-aged Australians had high cholesterol in 2011/12.
There is also a perception issue when it comes to activity levels.
Nearly half (49 per cent) of respondents admitted to not exercising.
This is significantly lower than the 71 per cent of middle-aged Australians leading a sedentary lifestyle, according to 2014/15 ABS figures.
"When it comes to cardiovascular risk, too many Australians have their head in the sand. This mindset needs to be seen as a major risk factor for heart disease," Ms Allen said.
In 2015, one Australian died from cardiovascular disease every 12 minutes.
Despite this, the poll found relatively few Australians consider themselves at high risk of suffering stroke (16 per cent) or heart attack (15 per cent).
Libby McMahon from Dubbo in central NSW was unaware of the realities of heart disease until she suffered a heart attack at 47 years of age.
Apart from feeling generally unwell and unable to raise her arm, Ms McMahon mistook her heart attack for 'just another hot day in Dubbo' before her husband realised something was very wrong.
"I definitely thought I was thinner, fitter and healthier than I actually was," she said.
Traci Moore from Laurieton, near Port Macquarie, underwent a double bypass at age 58.
Both Ms Moore's mother and uncle died from a heart attack, yet she still didn't think a heart event would strike at her age.
"I'm a nurse and I still didn't realise my heart was in danger."
People in their middle age must realise they need to do more to keep healthy, Ms Allen said.
"The first step to combating heart disease is to tackle the 'it'll be right' attitude."
