Who Gets Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a woman's concern—every woman's concern. To understand why, simply look at the statistics.

• The lifetime risk of developing coronary heart disease is one in three for women age 40 and younger. At age 70, one out of every four women will develop it.
• Women are more likely than men to die of a first heart attack.
• Each year, about 370,000 women die of heart disease, making it the number-one killer of American women.

While these statistics are alarming by themselves, what's even more disturbing is that so many women are unaware of them. Many women believe that breast cancer is the greatest threat to their health. However, your lifetime risk of heart disease is far greater than your risk of breast cancer.

This site is designed to make you aware of heart disease and its impact on your health and life. It tells you why and when you should be concerned about your own heart health and what you can do to prevent heart disease. After all, the steps you take to protect your heart can help you enjoy a longer, healthier, more active life.