Can your family function well without you? Likewise, your body cannot function well without a healthy heart. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. Know the risk factors of heart disease for women. Some risk factors we can't change, but some we can. Talk to your doctor about any questions you may have about heart disease. Changes you make now can change your future and keep you beating strong for your family.

From the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Link to article: The Heart Truth About Heart Disease and Risk Factors

• Heart disease is the # 1 killer of American women.
• 1 in every 3 women dies of heart disease.
• Nearly two-thirds of American women who die suddenly of a heart attack had no prior symptoms.
• Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82% just by leading a healthy lifestyle.

From the American Heart Association

Link to article: Go Red Lifestyle: Take Control

• 1 in 5 females in the U.S. have some form of heart disease.
• A woman dies from heart disease every 34 seconds.
• African-American and Mexican-American women have higher heart disease and stroke risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status.
• The prevalence of high blood pressure in minority women in the U.S. is among the highest in the world.
• Coronary heart disease rates in women after menopause are 2-3 times those of women the same age before menopause.
• Heart disease claims more women’s lives than the next 8 causes of deaths combined . . . including breast cancer.
• Most women begin to develop heart disease at a very young age.
• Over 35% of American women are overweight.
• Over 25% of American women smoke.

Additional Statistics

The Guidant Corporation is committed to education on women’s heart health. Listed at their website are further statistics regarding women and heart disease including some diagnostic tests and procedures that may prove to be less accurate in women.

 Questions?   
 For more information contact the Health Screening Center team on-line.