If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
More than 60 million women in the United States have some form of heart disease, according to the CDC — but only a little more than half of women realize it’s “their number one killer.”
The most common form of heart disease, and the leading cause of death for women, is coronary artery disease, caused by plaque in the walls of the arteries. While heart disease can affect women at any age, post-menopausal women are at a higher risk of CAD due to hormonal changes. Depression, PTSD, autoimmune disorders, and even past COVID infection can also increase your risk.
Unfortunately, gendered bias prevents many women from getting the care they need for their heart health, since their complaints are often dismissed as mental health issues or menopause symptoms. On a larger scale, gender imbalance in clinical studies has led to a proliferation of heart health information that is geared towards men’s experiences and men’s physiology.
February is American Heart Month, which is the perfect chance for all of us to learn more about our own heart health and pass it on. That’s where these 11 books come in. These titles — from comprehensive overviews of women’s heart health to guidebooks for those with heart disease and memoirs of heart surgeons — will offer you critical information to help you take control of your cardiovascular health — and may even warm your heart.