The Heart Truth: Understanding What We Don’t Know About Cardiac Health 

New Ipsos survey conducted across six countries reveals that despite 84% claiming to be sufficiently informed on the cardiac health, only less than a half are.

The Heart Truth: Undertsanding what we dont know about cardiac health. Sign up to access the report

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in Europe and the United States, yet public awareness about its risk factors and symptoms is alarmingly low. Drawing insights from a comprehensive survey conducted across six countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and the US), Ipsos' latest report, "The Heart Truth," uncovers significant knowledge gaps that could hinder effective prevention and treatment strategies. 

Despite 84% of people believing they are well-informed, only 47% actually are.

Key findings reveal that over half of the population is unaware of gender-specific differences in symptoms and diagnosis rates. Many also hold misconceptions about risk factors, such as aging, diabetes, and lifestyle choices. Surprisingly, common myths persist, like the belief in the heart health benefits of red wine or the need to avoid exercise after a heart attack.

Addressing these misconceptions is crucial for improving cardiac health outcomes.  

Explore the full report to learn more. 

Download the report

These are the results of a survey conducted using Ipsos.Digital’s ad-hoc survey solution FastFacts in August 2024 across six countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the United States. The survey targeted adults aged 18 to 65, ensuring a representative sample for each country concerning age and gender demographics.

The author(s)

  • Margot Vandenbossche
    Margot Vandenbossche
    Healthcare, Ipsos in Belgium

More insights about Health

Related news

  • The Human Advantage Conference 2026: Highlights

    The Human Advantage Conference 2026: Highlights

    Ipsos is proud to support The Human Advantage 2026, a flagship event bringing together some of the world's leading experts and key industry figures to explore how behavioural science, AI, and human intelligence can address the critical challenges facing businesses and society. Here's a look back at two days of live coverage.
  • [WEBINAR] KEYS: Dialling Up the S In Sustainability
    KEYS Events replay

    [REPLAY] KEYS: Dialling Up the S In Sustainability

    In the next episode of our KEYS webinar, we’ll be asking whether now is the time when organisations should be ‘dialling up the S’ in their sustainability initiatives.
  • [Webinar] Real-World Evidence: Empowering the Patient
    Healthcare Webinar

    [Replay] Real-World Evidence: Empowering the Patient

    Patient voices are now central to regulatory, HTA and commercial decisions. But how do we move beyond tick-box engagement to evidence that truly reflects lived experience? Join our expert panel for a 360° perspective on making patient-centricity work in practice.