Quick Facts About Heart Disease
Did you know that only 13% of women view heart disease as a health threat, even though it’s the leading cause of death for women in the United States?
Here are some facts from the American Heart Association to consider:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over 450,000 women per year—that’s about one every minute.
- One in six US women in 2005 died of cardiovascular disease, while only one in thirty died of cancer.
- CVD claims more lives than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
- 64% of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
- Middle-aged Americans who don’t currently have high blood pressure have a 90% chance of eventually developing hypertension.
- Over 73 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure.
- Stroke is the #3 cause of death for women over the age of 65, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability.
While the statistics are sobering, there is plenty of hope. You can learn how to assess your risk and discover ways to protect your heart.