Heart Disease Risks for Women

Heart Disease

Heart Disease is the #1 Cause of Death of Women in the U.S.

Did you know that…

  • A woman dies from heart disease every 34 seconds.
  • One in five females in the U.S. have some form of heart disease.
  • Over 35% of American women are overweight.
  • Over 25% of American women smoke.
  • Heart disease claims more women’s lives than the next 3 causes of death combined…including all forms of cancer.
  • Nearly 5 times as many women (200,000) will die from heart attacks alone this year than will die from breast cancer.
  • Since 1984, more women than men have died of heart disease each year.
  • Most women begin to develop heart disease at a very young age.
  • Women have a 28% increased risk of dying as compared to men to die within the first year after a heart attack.

CVD Risk Factors for Women

  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Being overweight
  • Physical inactivity
  • A family history of early heart disease
  • Age (55 or older for women)

Prevention

  • Avoid Tobacco
  • Be More Active
  • Choose Good Nutrition
  • Know Your Blood Pressure
  • Know Your Cholesterol
  • Maintain a healthy weight