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Heart Disease Prevention Remains Important for American Women

In recognition of American Heart Month, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and its heart disease awareness campaign—The Heart Truth—is reminding all American women that heart disease prevention remains critically important, despite the fact that awareness is at an all time high.  More women than ever know that heart disease is their leading killer, yet millions of women are at risk, at increasingly younger ages.

Even with increased awareness, 80% of midlife women (aged 40 to 60) still have one or more of the modifiable risk factors—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, and smoking.  Sixty percent of younger women, aged 20 to 39, have one or more of these risk factors.  Recent data show high rates of overweight/obesity in younger women, which may lead to higher rates of heart disease in later years.  

"Women are developing heart disease at younger ages, and our research shows that many women, particularly at younger ages, still do not recognize their personal risk," says Susan Shurin, MD, acting director, NHLBI.  "What young women need to realize is that leading a healthy lifestyle in their 20s and 30s sets them up for a long and healthy life."

— Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute