Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women and men in the United States. Each year, more than 300,000 women, or one in five, die from this disease. However, research shows that fewer than half of American women are aware of the costs they may incur, and even that proportion is on the decline, with a study published in 2021 showing that less than half of women in the United States are aware of the costs they may incur, compared to 2009. % to approximately 44% in 2019. Circulation.

NHLBI researchers and health educators say this trend is alarming because most of the cases are young women and Black and Latinx women, where awareness levels remain low. That’s why NHLBI is building on its current efforts to educate women about heart disease. With NHLBI’s new initiative, The truth of the heart® Programs specifically aimed at these groups.

Neyal Ammary-RischMPH, health education and research dissemination team leader in NHLBI’s Office of Science Policy, Engagement, Education and Communications, agreed. “For more than a century, heart disease has unfortunately been viewed as a men’s disease by researchers and the general public. We have made much progress over the years in increasing awareness of women’s heart health. “But young women need our special focus. They think heart disease is something they don’t need to worry about until later in life, but that’s not true.”20-39 They noted that nearly 75% of women aged 20 to 20 have one or more modifiable risk factors for heart disease, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, current smoking, or being overweight or obese.

However, in view of the decline in awareness, the program will add a new promotional activity called “Yes, YOU!” in late February. It aims to raise awareness about heart disease among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, primarily Black and Latinx women. These populations typically have higher rates of health conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, overweight or obesity, and diabetes. “Yes, that’s you!” Featuring fact sheets, video PSAs, and social media resources to help inform and motivate those who don’t know about the risks.

In addition to new support for these young women and women of color, Amalie Risch said NHLBI is also working to increase literacy around heart health. “We’re having more conversations about what causes heart disease, what the risk factors are, and how women can prevent heart disease,” she says. “We want women to know that the choices they make now can reduce risk for the rest of their lives.”

“Awareness is the first step to reducing risk,” said Gina S. Way, MD, MPH, associate director of NHLBI’s Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and NHLBI’s senior scientific advisor on women’s health. Ta. “Women need to be empowered with the facts so they can take action to protect their hearts.” You can start by knowing which conditions may increase your chances of developing the disease. You can then take steps to minimize those risks.

“Women can also take small steps, such as increasing their daily activity, adding more fruits and vegetables to their diet, taking time to de-stress, and making sure they get enough, quality sleep. You can step out,” Wei said. These steps should be taken before, during, and after pregnancy, because heart problems that occur during pregnancy can affect the outcome of childbirth and even affect a woman’s heart years after giving birth. Especially helpful, she explained.

“So it’s never too late or too early to start strengthening your mind,” Wei says. “It really is a win-win for everyone.”

However, getting that message across in a way that makes a difference can be difficult. Researchers say the causes of decreased awareness of heart disease in women are not clearly understood, but include a lack of screening tools to adequately assess heart risk in younger age groups, and inconsistent use of preventive medications. It is said that certain factors may be involved. There is a misconception among women and young women that they are not at risk for heart disease. There is also a lack of educational efforts to encourage heart-healthy behaviors, especially for women of color. In conclusion, researchers said more efforts are needed to educate women through awareness campaigns, cardiovascular testing, and counseling. Heart disease is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart. The most common type in the United States is coronary heart disease, which occurs when the heart’s arteries cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It is often caused by a buildup of cholesterol on the inner walls of blood vessels. However, it is highly preventable with a heart-healthy lifestyle and medication.

Symptoms of heart disease in women vary and may differ from those in men. Chest pain, heart palpitations, pain in the neck, jaw, or throat, and pain in the upper abdomen or back can all indicate heart disease. So are nausea, vomiting, excessive fatigue, and trouble sleeping. However, some women have no symptoms, and the first sign of heart disease may be a heart attack. A woman who thinks she or someone in her family may have symptoms of heart disease should seek medical attention immediately, as early treatment can save her life.

Since 2002, NHLBI has sponsored The Heart Truth®, a national health education program that raises awareness about heart disease. The program introduced the red dress as a national symbol for women and heart disease to make risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure more visible and to motivate women to protect their hearts. The program targets women between the ages of 40 and 60 and has helped double awareness of heart disease in women since its initial launch.

NHLBI encourages people to wear red and supports a variety of other events, including National Wear Red Day® (held the first Friday in February), which encourages people to wear red and shares resources to motivate others to fight heart disease. We continue to help spread awareness about heart disease in women through special initiatives such as: protect their hearts. We’ll also celebrate American Heart Month throughout February and provide ideas for easy ways to incorporate heart-healthy behaviors into every day of the month. NHLBI also provides educational tools and resources to increase heart disease awareness throughout the year.

Want to learn more about how women can improve their heart health? Visit the links below to get specific tips on how to:

For more information about women and heart disease, visit https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/heart-truth/listen-to-your-heart.

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