Heart disease. Isn't that a man's problem? Many women mistakenly think so. But did you know that heart disease and stroke are the number one killers of American women? In fact, more women than men die of heart disease. Although heart disease kills 32 percent of American women, most of them don't understand their risks.

Risk factors for heart disease
Some risks can't be controlled, such as:

• Family history. Heart disease can be hereditary.
• Ethnicity. Women of African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander descent are more prone to heart disease than white women.
• Diabetes. Women with this condition are two to three times more likely to have heart attacks than other women.

Risks that can be controlled include:

• Smoking. This is a major cause of heart disease and stroke among women. Women who smoke tend to have heart attacks 19 years earlier than women who don't smoke.
• High blood pressure. Women on oral contraceptives, especially if they are overweight, are at increased risk for high blood pressure.
• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eating foods low in saturated fats and cholesterol can help lower your risks.
• Lack of exercise. Even moderate physical activity can lower your risks.
• Being overweight. Too much fat, especially in the waist area, is linked to heart disease, stroke and many other health problems.
• Drinking alcohol excessively. Alcohol should be limited to no more than one drink a day.

Most women worry about breast cancer and cervical cancer, but they may ignore the risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke. But in the United States, almost twice as many women die from heart disease or stroke than from all types of cancer.

Men develop heart disease earlier in life than women. But women catch up after menopause, when their estrogen levels drop. Experts believe that estrogen helps to protect women from heart disease.

Many women don't recognize when they are having a heart attack. They may not have the classic symptoms, such as radiating chest pain. Sudden or unusual fatigue or unusual shortness of breath may be signs of heart disease in some women, but it's not always recognized.

Other possible symptoms of a heart attack to look for include:

• Pressure, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and returns
• Pain that spreads into the shoulders, neck, jaw, arms or back
• Anxiety, weakness or fatigue
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Sweaty skin and paleness
• Fainting, nausea, shortness of breath or lightheadedness

Take charge of your health
Women need not throw up their hands and assume they're powerless in preventing cardiovascular problems. In fact, cutting the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke can be as simple as taking a daily walk around the park. Always check with your doctor first, though, before you increase your activity level. Even a modest amount of physical activity can make a big difference. It also helps control cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity.

Related Articles Women and Heart Disease Screening Tests for Women

External Sources American Heart Association. Women, heart disease and stroke. . Accessed July 24, 2008 The National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease. Women and heart disease fact sheet. . Accessed July 24, 2008

This article was reviewed and updated 08-01-2009.