Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the U.S.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease includes many different conditions that affect the heart and its structures, like veins and arteries.
The most common type of heart disease in women is coronary artery disease
What increases your risk for heart disease?
Knowing your risk factors for heart disease can help you manage them with your healthcare provider.
Medical conditions
High triglycerides
Low HDL (“good cholesterol”)
High blood pressure
Endometriosis
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Obesity or overweight
Chronic kidney disease
HIV/AIDS
Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions
e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis
Diabetes
Preeclampsia (high blood pressure while pregnant or postpartum)
DYK?
High triglycerides are linked to clogged arteries (atherosclerosis) , which may lead to cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, stroke and heart attacks.
Being over 65
Being biologically female
Using hormonal birth control
Menopause
Race & ethnicity
The risk of dying from heart disease, from highest to lowest
Non-Hispanic Black people
Non-Hispanic white people
Hispanic and Latina people
Non-Hispanic white people
Asian or Pacific Islander people
Lower income & education levels or living in a rural area
People with lower education and income levels or people living in rural areas are less likely to have access to preventive health screenings, healthcare providers and medications that can help lower heart disease risk
Lifestyle factors
Smoking or vaping
Using tobacco
Drinking alcohol
Not exercising enough
Eating an unhealthy diet
Family history
Some people have a higher genetic risk of heart disease.
Talk to your doctor about your risk if you have family members who have had:
Heart attacks
Blood clots
Strokes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Heart disease younger than 65 for females and 55 for males
Medicine matters
Taking prescription medication can help reduce your risk of heart disease, especially if you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke.
Cholesterol & triglyceride medications, like statins and pure EPA omega-3s like IPE
Blood pressure medications, like ACE inhibitors and beta blockers
Diabetes medications, like metformin and GLP-1 agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors
Blood thinners, like aspirin plus rivaroxaban
Reduce your risk
Quit smoking, vaping or using tobacco
Limit alcohol
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat high-fiber foods like vegetables and fruit
Reduce stress
Manage your blood sugar
Be physically active
Get enough sleep
Take your prescribed medications
This educational resource was created with support from Amarin.