“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women
in the United States and can affect women at any age.
In 2021, it was responsible for the deaths of 310,661 women…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Heart Disease and Women Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cardiovascular Disease (CVD
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
  • Heart Conditions
  • Heart Disease/s

Heart Disease

What is heart disease?

DotS the definition of heart disease may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack”.2

Coronary Heart Disease

What is coronary heart disease (CHD)?

DotS the definition of CHD may vary. In Coronary Heart Disease: What Is Coronary Heart Disease? the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:

“Coronary artery disease affects the larger coronary arteries on the surface of the heart. Another type of heart disease, called coronary microvascular disease, affects the tiny arteries in the heart muscle. Coronary microvascular disease is more common in women”.3

Heart Disease and WomenWomen

Is heart disease a woman’s problem?

Yes. In Coronary Heart Disease: Women and Heart Disease the NHLBI note:

“Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. About 80% of women age 40 to 60 have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease. Having multiple risk factors significantly increases a woman’s chance of developing coronary heart disease”.4

In Women and Heart Disease the CDC explain:

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and can affect women at any age. In 2021, it was responsible for the deaths of 310,661 women—or about 1 in every 5 female deaths. Research has shown that only about half (56%) of US women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer”.5

In About Heart Disease In Women Go Red for Women explain:

“The more a woman knows about heart disease, the better chance she has of beating it. The first facts you need to know are very serious: Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. Fortunately, we can change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action”.6

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Do I Have To Start Worrying About Heart Disease? the North American Menopause Society also note:

“A. You do. Although many women think of heart disease as a man’s disease, the number one killer of women in North America is cardiovascular disease, that is, diseases of the heart and circulatory system. After age 55, more than half of all the deaths in women are caused by cardiovascular disease. Risk for this disease increases after menopause. Be sure to talk to your healthcare team about what your risks are and how you can reduce them”.7

Health Care ProviderHeart Disease and Women

What if I think I have heart disease or I have a family history of heart disease?

If you think you have heart disease or you have a family history of heart disease, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – You and Your Doctor: How Do I Find Out If I Am At Risk for Heart Disease? A Heart Healthy Partnership the NHLBI also remind us:

“A crucial step in determining your risk is to see your doctor for a thorough checkup. Your doctor can be an important partner in helping you set and reach goals for heart health. But don’t wait for your doctor to mention heart disease or its risk factors. Many doctors don’t routinely bring up the subject with women patients”.8

Health Topics A-Z

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In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Women and Heart Disease: How Does Heart Disease Affect Women? Last Reviewed: 15 May 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm Accessed: 29 September 2023
  2. About Heart Disease: What Is Heart Disease? Last Reviewed: 15 May 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm Accessed: 29 September 2023
  3. Coronary Heart Disease: What Is Coronary Heart Disease? Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-heart-disease Accessed: 29 September 2023
  4. Coronary Heart Disease: Women and Heart Disease. Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease/women Accessed: 29 September 2023
  5. Women and Heart Disease. Last Reviewed: 15 May 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm Accessed: 29 September 2023
  6. About Heart Disease In Women. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women Accessed: 29 September 2023
  7. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Do I Have To Start Worrying About Heart Disease? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 29 September 2023
  8. Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – How Do I Find Out If I Am At Risk for Heart Disease? You and Your Doctor: A Heart Healthy Partnership. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-truth/heart-disease-not-just-men Accessed: 29 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 09 February 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 29 September 2023

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