Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the U.S. 

What is heart disease? 

Heart disease includes many different conditions that affect the heart and its structures, like veins and arteries. 

The most common type of heart disease in women is coronary artery disease

What increases your risk for heart disease? 

Knowing your risk factors for heart disease can help you manage them with your healthcare provider. 

Medical conditions 

• High triglycerides 

• Low HDL (“good cholesterol”)

• High blood pressure 

• Endometriosis

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Obesity or overweight

• Chronic kidney disease

• HIV/AIDS

• Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions

• e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis

• Diabetes

• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure while pregnant or postpartum) 

DYK? 

High triglycerides are linked to clogged arteries (atherosclerosis) , which may lead to cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, stroke and heart attacks.

Being over 65  

Being biologically female

Using hormonal birth control 

Menopause 

Race & ethnicity

The risk of dying from heart disease, from highest to lowest

Non-Hispanic Black people

Non-Hispanic white people

Hispanic and Latina people

Non-Hispanic white people

Asian or Pacific Islander people

Lower income & education levels or living in a rural area

• People with lower education and income levels or people living in rural areas are less likely to have access to preventive health screenings, healthcare providers and medications that can help lower heart disease risk 

Lifestyle factors

• Smoking or vaping

• Using tobacco

• Drinking alcohol

• Not exercising enough

• Eating an unhealthy diet 

Family history

Some people have a higher genetic risk of heart disease. 

Talk to your doctor about your risk if you have family members who have had:

• Heart attacks 

• Blood clots

• Strokes

• High cholesterol

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease younger than 65 for females and 55 for males

Medicine matters

Taking prescription medication can help reduce your risk of heart disease, especially if you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke. 

Cholesterol & triglyceride medications, like statins and pure EPA omega-3s like IPE

Blood pressure medications, like ACE inhibitors and beta blockers 

Diabetes medications, like metformin and GLP-1 agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors  

Blood thinners, like aspirin plus rivaroxaban

Reduce your risk

• Quit smoking, vaping or using tobacco

• Limit alcohol

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Eat high-fiber foods like vegetables and fruit

• Reduce stress

• Manage your blood sugar

• Be physically active

• Get enough sleep

• Take your prescribed medications

This educational resource was created with support from Amarin.