February isn’t just for Valentines; it’s also American Heart Month. Heart disease is of particular concern to women. According to the American Heart Association, “More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined.”
What is heart disease? Here’s what the AHA says:
Heart disease–also called cardiovascular disease–is a simple term used to describe several problems related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. As the plaque builds up, the arteries narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow and creating a risk for heart attack or stroke.
Other types of heart disease include heart failure, an irregular heartbeat–or arrhythmia–and heart valve problems.
How can you protect yourself against heart disease? We’ll cover this in more depth here on the blog this month. (Keep your eyes open for our interview with NYU cardiologist Dr. Richard Stein!) If you want to start learning more right away, visit Heart.org.
And remember, this Friday is Go Red for Women Day! Wear red and help raise awareness about heart disease in women! For more information, visit GoRedForWomen.org.
