Cardiovascular Disease in Women

HEART DISEASE IS THE No. 1 CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES CLAIMING THE LIVES OF ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE WOMEN EACH YEAR.

Women are 14 times more likely to die from Heart Disease than Breast Cancer

African American and Latino women have special concerns when we consider their risk for heart disease. African American and Latino women are the least educated regarding their risk for developing heart disease. Check this out:
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Hispanic women. Yet only 34% of them know that heart disease is their greatest health threat.
  • 48% percent of African American Women age 20 year or older have Heart Disease. Yet only 14% believe that this disease is their greatest health care threat.
  • Awareness of heart disease as a leading cause of death has declined over the last 10 years among the nation’s women, especially among women of color.
Across the nation, disparities in heart disease prevention exist for the nation’s women of color. African American women suffer from high rates of hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Latina women are more likely to develop heart disease at younger ages.
Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Traditionally, a low percentage of women discuss heart disease prevention strategies with their doctors.

  • Over 30% of African American and Latina Women have high blood pressure, many of whom don’t even know it.
  • New information suggests that living a healthy lifestyle also can prevent the development of heart failure among postmenopausal women.

Heart Disease includes a wide range of illnesses which affect the cardiovascular system as a whole and include but are not limited to:

Heart Disease can affect anyone, at any age. The symptoms from heart attacks, however, the symptoms can be different in women, with women having more subtle symptoms such as: shortness of breath and nausea and vomiting are presenting symptoms.

Prevention of Heart Disease starts with:

  • Knowing your individual risk for developing heart disease. Calculate you risk for heart disease here.
  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Controlling blood pressure.
  • Participating in a regular exercise routine.