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Women and Heart Disease

The Heart Truth:   One in three women dies from heart disease.  It's the #1 killer of women, regardless of race or ethnicity. It also strikes at younger ages than most people think, and the risk rises in middle age. And, two-thirds of women who have heart attacks never fully recover.  

The Heart Truth:  Every woman can take steps to lower the risk of developing heart disease.  It's never too early or too late to improve heart health - even for those who have already had a heart attack.  No matter what age, every woman needs to take action to protect her heart health. 

  • Eat for Health.  You can greatly improve the condition of your heart with a healthy eating plan.  Choose a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moder in total fat; enjoy a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains, add in colorful fruits and vegetables; cutyour intake of sugars; choose and prepare foods with less alt; and if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
  • Get Moving.  Regular physical activity is a powerful way to keep your heart healthy.  Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-level activity on most (preferably all!) days of the week.  If necessary, you can choose shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each, as long as you total about 30 minutes of activity that day.  Women also benefit from weight-bearing activities, which keep bones healthier.  Try walking, lifting hand weights or even carrying groceries.  Don't forget to add in some activities that promote flexibility and balance, such as T'ai Chi and yoga.
  • Check Blood Pressure and Cholesterol.  Get a blood pressure check every year.  In addition, you should have a baseline lipid panel at age 35 and every five years thereafter.  If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as family history, high blood cholesterol, overweight or diabetes, you may need to get checked more often.
  • Ask About Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Heart Disease Prevention.  Until recently many postmenopausal women were prescribed menopausal hormone therapy to help prevent heart disease.  Research shows that some types of estrogen plus progestin therapy increase the changes for heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.  And, research on estrogen-alone therapy shows it increases the risk for stroke and blood clots.  Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the right approach to preventing heart disease and overall hormonal balance.
  • Kick the Tobacco Habit.  There is nothing easy about giving up cigarettes, but with a plan of action, you can do it.  Become aware of your personal smoking "triggers" - the situations that typically bring on the urge to use tobacco - and replace those with new, healthier activities.  Eat healthy, exercise, and be sure to ask family and friends for support.

For more information about women and heart disease, visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/

The Heart Truth: Why Wear Red? The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, launched the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2003. On National Wear Red Day, women and men across the country wear red to unite the national movement to give women a personal and urgent wake-up call about their risk of heart disease. On February 1, we encourage you to wear red and join Americans across the country in this important life-saving awareness day.

The Heart Truth: Questions to Ask Your Doctor. Now that you know that women are at risk for heart disease, here are some questions to ask your doctor:

  • What IS my risk for heart disease?
  • What is my blood pressure?
  • What are my cholesterol numbers?
  • What is my Body Mass Index?
  • What is my blood sugar level?
  • Do I need any other screening tests for heart disease?
  • What is a heart healthy eating plan and exercise plan for me?

Resources

  • The Heart Truth - Every woman needs to know about heart disease.   The Heart Truth is that heart disease is the #1 killer of American women.  In fact, one in three women dies of heart disease.  But heart disease can also lead to disability and a significantly decreased quality of life.

Upcoming Womens Heart Health Events

  • February 1, 2008, National Wear Red Day  - On the first Friday in February each year, women and men across the country can unite in the national movement to give women a personal and urgent wake-up call about their risk of heart disease.  Make plans to participate in this life-saving awareness observance on February 1, 2008, by wearing red or a Red Dress Pin.