Like most women, you may not consider yourself at risk for cardiovascular disease because you may think it’s just a man’s disease. But cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women over age 25 in the United States, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Risk factors are certain conditions that make a woman more likely to develop a disease. They can also increase the chances that an existing disease will get worse.

Research about cardiovascular disease risk factors suggests that making even small lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke and other serious cardiovascular conditions.
Once a woman reaches the age of 50 (about the age of natural menopause), the risk of heart disease and stroke increases dramatically. In young women who have undergone early or surgical menopause, the risk of heart disease is also higher, especially when combined with other risk factors.

Learn more how to control these risk factors

• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, high LDL, low HDL
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Being physically inactive
• Metabolic Syndrome

To reduce your risk, you need to address ALL of your risk factors, not just one or two. Each risk factor is equally important. Heart health is vital to women!

You don’t have to totally turn your life upside-down, but you must make changes. Start with one and go down the list.

Set Goals to Lessen Your Modifiable Risk Factors