Know the facts	Know your numbers	Know your risk factors	Manage your risk factors
Exercise for life	Eat heart healthy	Manage your stress	Work with your doctor
Additional Resources

Heart Health

Eight Steps to a Healthy Heart

Step One: Know the facts

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women, as well as men in America?

Many women think heart disease is a man's problem, but heart disease is very much a woman'sproblem. Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death for American women. Heart disease affectswomen of all racial and ethnic groups, as well as women with other illnesses, such as diabetes. Black women are more likely to die of heart disease than white women are. Increasing age is also a factor in heart disease and with people ages 65 and over being the fastest growing group in the U.S., heart disease is becoming a growing problem for women.

Almost twice as many women die from cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer combined.

Men have heart attacks and strokes more often than do women. But, the death rate for women from cardiovascular disease is higher. As women age, particularly after menopause they become more at risk for cardiovascular disease. Lower levels of estrogen during and after menopause are thought to increase a woman's risk for cardiovascular disease. Early menopause, whether natural or surgical, can double a woman's risk for developing coronary heart disease. Younger women are also at risk for cardiovascular disease if they smoke or have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and a family history of cardiovascular disease at young ages.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

These warning signs could save your life!

If you experience one or more of these symptoms you could be having a heart attack. Women often experience these warning signs:

• Mild chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain, rather than the typical "crushing" chest pain.
• Nausea or dizziness.
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue.
• Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness.

Other Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms.
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

If believe you might be having a heart attack call your emergency medical system immediately! Make sure the emergency team knows you may be having a heart attack!

Many women try to deny what is happening, believing they can't be having a heart attack. They may try to wait and see if the symptoms go away, delaying treatment and putting their lives in danger.

Don't make this mistake. A heart attack can strike anyone, of any age. Make sure your friends,coworkers and family know the warning signs and tell them to make sure you get help immediately.

Cardiovascular disease is the single leading cause of death among African-American women.

Remember, getting to an emergency room may mean the difference between life and death, so act quickly.

Additional Resources

For more information, click on Frequently Asked Questions about Heart and Cardiovascular Disease.

To test your Heart Disease IQ, click here.