THE HEART TRUTH FOR WOMEN: And What YOU Can Do NOW

Like many women, you may think, “heart disease -- that’s a man’s disease.” But here’s The Heart Truth: Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. It is also a leading cause of disability among women. If you’ve got a heart, heart disease could be your problem.

Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease. Usually referred to simply as “heart disease,” it is a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart that can lead to a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart. It is important to realize that heart disease is a lifelong condition—once you get it, you’ll always have it. What’s more, the condition of your blood vessels will steadily worsen unless you make changes in your daily habits. That’s why it is so vital to take action as early as possible to prevent this disease.

The good news: Heart disease is a problem you can do something about. The Risk Factors for Heart Disease section below will help you find out your personal risk of heart disease and the Taking Action to Lower Your Heart Disease Risk section will help inform you how you can take steps to improve your heart health and reduce your chances of developing heart disease.