Do you know The Heart Truth about women and heart disease? More women die from heart disease than from any other disease – even breast cancer. In fact, one in three women will die of heart disease. And living with it can lead to disability and a decreased quality of life.
But few women take their risk seriously or personally. Having just one risk factor can double your risk for developing heart disease. Multiple risk factors multiply your risk.
What can you do to lower your risk?
Know the risk factors for heart disease:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Overweight/obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
- Family history of early coronary heart disease
- Age (for women, 55 and older)
Talk to your doctor to find out if you are at risk. And take action. Not smoking, heart-healthy eating, physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking prescribed medication can help to control and reduce the risks.
The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in partnership with: the American Heart Association; Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease; and other organizations committed to the health and well-being of women. |
