The Stats On Women and Heart Disease

• Heart disease is the number one killer of American women.
• One in every three American women dies of heart disease. One in 30 dies of breast cancer. (The Heart Truth)
• Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82% just by leading a healthy lifestyle. (The Heart Truth)
• Women's heart disease risk starts to rise in middle age. (The Heart Truth)
• About 3 million American women have had a heart attack. (The Heart Truth)
• Two-thirds of American women who have had heart attacks don't fully recover. (The Heart Truth)
• Only 13% of women are aware that heart disease is their number one health threat. (The American Heart Association)
• 64% of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. (The American Heart Association)
• Women with diabetes are two-to-three times more likely to have heart attacks. (WomenHeart)
• 38% of women and 25% of men will die within one year of a first recognized heart attack. (WomenHeart)
• Women comprise only 25% of participants in all heart-related research studies. (WomenHeart)
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills nearly half a million women a year, about one per minute. (American Heart Association)
• Heart disease rates in postmenopausal women are two-to-three times higher than in premenopausal women of the same age. (American Heart Association).

• Coronary heart disease is the main form of heart disease. It develops over many years and affects the blood vessels of the heart. It can result in heart attack, disability and death.
• Often called "heart disease," coronary heart disease is one of various cardiovascular diseases that affect the heart and blood vessel system. Others include stroke, high blood pressure and rheumatic heart disease.
  
• Once developed, heart disease can be managed, but it cannot be cured. If a woman with heart disease does not adhere to certain lifestyle guidelines, such as not smoking, following a heart-healthy eating plan and being physically active, her condition will likely steadily worsen.
  

What is a heart attack?

• A heart attack occurs when an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart.

What are the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

• If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.
• Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: This can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath: This often comes along with chest discomfort, but it also can happen before any symptoms of chest discomfort occur.
• Women are also somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the following symptoms: nausea and vomiting, back or jaw pain, light-headedness and breaking out in a cold sweat.

Why are women at risk?

• Heart disease isn't just a man's disease. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women.
• Women often do not take their risk of heart disease seriously — or personally. They fail to make the connection between the risk factors and their own chance of developing heart disease.
• Women are often treated less aggressively than men.
• According to WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, more women than men die of heart disease each year, yet women receive only:
  • 33% of angioplasties, stents and bypass surgeries
  • 28% of implantable defibrillators
  • 36% of open-heart surgeries

What are the risk factors for heart disease?

• Risk factors are habits or conditions that increase the chance of developing a disease. Many of the risk factors for heart disease can be prevented or controlled. Having more than one risk factor is especially serious. Women should talk to a health professional about their individual risks and how to lower them.
• Risk factors for heart disease are:
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of early coronary heart disease
  • Age (for women 55 and older)

Heart disease is a problem you can do something about. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Know your numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.
• Eat healthfully and maintain a healthy weight: The health of your heart has a lot to do with the foods you eat. Stick to nutritious foods, those low in added sugars and saturated fats and eat sensible portions.
• Get moving: With just 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity most days of the week, you can significantly strengthen your heart and reduce your risk for heart disease. Check out America on the Move for fun, simple ways to be more active and eat more healthfully.
• If you smoke, kick the habit: Women who smoke are two-to-six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmoking women.

Important Dates To Recognize

• February 17: National Woman's Heart Day, a Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation?s initiative, where health fairs offering free heart screenings and advice are held simultaneously in 14 U.S. cities. Click here to learn more: sistertosister.org.

» For more tips on how to keep your heart healthy check out our partners.

» Learn crucial heart information from an expert.

» Read what women think about heart disease.