Heart disease is the number one killer of American women each year, claiming more than 500,000 lives. Every year since 1984, more women than men have died of cardiovascular disease and it is estimated one-in-two women will die of heart disease or stroke. Nearly fifty percent of women over the age of 45 have high blood pressure and elevated total cholesterol, yet fewer than thirty percent perceive heart disease to be their greatest health threat. The good news is that many risk factors can be controlled and steps can be taken to improve your heart health. These risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, untreated diabetes, overweight, lack of regular exercise, stress and depression.
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