Mississippi State Department of Health

Women's Heart Health

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Heart disease is not just for men. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. But too few women are aware of the risk to them or what they can do about it.

Find out the Heart Truth now. The information on this page will help you make your heart health a success story.

Who Is At Risk

How Do I Know if I Am at Risk?

If you are affected by any of the conditions below, you could be at long-term risk for a damaged heart that could lead to disability, heart attack or both.

  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Overweight

Taking Action

The good news is that heart disease is a problem you can do something about. Both men and women can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent by leading a healthy lifestyle. You can control the risk factors above — and encourage others to do the same.

Reduce the Risk

Simple Ways to a Healthy Heart

Many heart disease risk factors can be controlled, by making changes in your lifestyle and, in some cases, by taking medication.

 

Special Groups

African American Women

Did You Know?

For African American women, the risk of heart disease is especially great. Heart disease is more prevalent among black women than white women — as are some of the factors that increase the risk of developing it, including high blood pressure, overweight and obesity, and diabetes.

Find Out More:

Latinas

Did You Know?

Heart disease is the #1 killer of Latinas in the United States. Together with stroke, heart disease accounts for a third of all deaths among Latinas — cancer, the second-leading cause of death, accounts for about a fifth.

Latinas also have high rates of some factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease, such as diabetes, overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity.

Find Out More:
 

Their Stories

Jennifer’s Story

Jennifer didn't realize the signs of her heart under distress until she was in a hospital bed recovering from a heart attack at the age of 36.

Full story

 

Gloria’s Story

Gloria inherited a love of dance from her father, and at 61, she hasn't relinquished her passion. Although her father passed away from a stroke after years of battling high blood pressure and diabetes, dance is what keeps Gloria's heart strong.

Full Story

 

Find Out More

For more information on the Heart Truth for women, visit these sites:



Links referenced on this page
Find out more    https://www.goredforwomen.org/
Download this poster for printing    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/43,3064,297,pdf/HeartAttackPoster.pdf
The Heart Truth for African American Women: Take Action to Protect Your Heart    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/hearttruth/downloads/pdf/2014.07.17_THTforAfricanAmericanWomen_508Factsheet.pdf
The Heart Truth for Latinas: Take Action to Protect Your Heart    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/hearttruth/downloads/pdf/2014.07.17_THTforLatinasEnglish_508Factsheet.pdf
La Verdad Acerca del Corazón para Las Latinas    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/hearttruth/downloads/pdf/FILE7_NHLBI_THT_Latinas_FS_SP_Update_8_Page_V7_508.pdf
Full story    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/hearttruth/about/stories-jennifer.htm
Full Story    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/hearttruth/about/stories-gloria.htm
The Heart Truth Campaign    http://www.hearttruth.gov
More Heart Truth materials    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/hearttruth/

Resources referenced
Download this poster for printing    https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/43,3064,297,pdf/HeartAttackPoster.pdf ok

Find this page at https://msdh.ms.gov/page/43,2171,297,240.html

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