Heart disease doesn’t just affect men. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. Most women don’t know this. But it is vital that you know it—and know what it means for you.

 

Some surprising facts:

·         One in four women in the United States dies of heart disease, while one in 30 dies of breast cancer.

·         23 percent of women will die within one year after having a heart attack.

·         Within six years of having a heart attack, about 46 percent of women become disabled with heart failure. Two-thirds of women who have a heart attack fail to make a full recovery.

 

The fact is, if you’ve got a heart, heart disease could be your problem. Fortunately, it’s a problem you can do something about.

 

What is heart disease?

Coronary heart disease—often simply called heart disease—occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened and narrowed due to a buildup of plaque on the arteries’ inner walls. Plaque is the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. As plaque continues to buildup in the arteries, blood flow to the heart is reduced. Heart disease can lead to a heart attack. A heart attack happens when an artery becomes totally blocked with plaque, preventing vital oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart. A heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle. Heart disease is one of several cardiovascular diseases, which are diseases of the heart and blood vessel system. Other cardiovascular diseases include stroke, high blood pressure, and rheumatic heart disease.

 

You have the power.

You have tremendous power to prevent heart disease—and you can start today. Learn about your own personal risk factors and make healthful changes in your diet, physical activity, and other daily habits. Even if you already have heart disease, you can take steps to lessen its severity.

 

Important risk factors for heart disease that you can do something about are cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, being overweight, physical inactivity, and diabetes. Research shows that more than 95 percent of those who die from heart disease have at least one of these major risk factors. Some risk factors, such as age and family history of early heart disease, can’t be changed.  First steps are important.  Talk to your doctor to learn more about heart disease and your risk factors.

 

 

 

You and Your Doctor: A Heart Healthy Partnership

A crucial step in determining your risk for heart disease is to see your doctor for a thorough checkup. Your physician can be an important partner in helping you set and reach goals for heart health. But don’t wait for your doctor to mention heart disease or its risk factors. Speak up. Tell your doctor you want to keep your heart healthy and would like help in achieving that goal. Ask questions about your chances of developing heart disease and how you can lower your risk.

 

To learn more about Women and Heart Disease, visit the American Heart Association Web site at www.heart.org or call 1-800-242-8721.