When asked which health problem is more common among women - breast cancer, heart disease, other cancers, osteoporosis - most women, and most of the population, reply incorrectly. Overall, more American women die of cardiovascular disease (478,000 annually) than of cancer, pneumonia, influenza, pulmonary diseases or accidents combined. Further, African-American women are 28 percent more likely to die of a heart attack than Caucasian women. About 10 million American women have some form of cardiovascular disease. At the age of 65 - one woman in three has heart disease.

So, why do so many ignore the signs and risk factors for heart disease? For a number of reasons. Heart disease tends to strike women far later in life than other high profile diseases. Women's heart disease is most often diagnosed after menopause. The heart attack rate runs about 10 - 20 years behind that of men. More women than men have second heart attacks, and as a result their hearts are often weaker when sent for potentially lifesaving surgery. Therefore, the survival statistics are not as favorable for women.

Heart disease is not a normal part of aging for women, nor it is unavoidable. Women can potentially save their lives by knowing what factors affect their risk for heart disease. Lifestyle changes can significantly decrease a woman's risk for heart disease, and increase their chance of survival when heart disease does occur.