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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more women die from heart disease than from any other cause, accounting for about 1 in 5 American women.

You can take action now to reduce your risk. Food and Drug Administration resources help women of all ages learn how to safely use FDA-approved drugs and devices to prevent and treat heart disease.

The FDA provides fact sheets, videos, and other web-based tools to help you learn about heart disease as well as conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure that can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease.

FDA also offers a Heart Health for Women page to connect women with resources that support heart-healthy living. To learn more about cardiovascular disease and women’s heart health, watch this FDA Office of Women’s Health educational video. This video is part of our initiative to share knowledge and news about women’s health (KNOWH).

“Many women don’t realize they’re at risk for heart disease. To combat heart disease in women, women have unique risk factors and atypical symptoms. It’s important to understand that it can occur,” said Dr. Kavita Vashisht, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Women’s Health.

The risk of heart disease increases for everyone as we age. For women, the risk increases after menopause, but younger women can also develop heart disease.

Here are some tips on how to reduce your risk and make informed decisions about your health. Even small changes can help.

8 tips to reduce risk

1. Know your risk factors. Nine out of 10 women have at least one risk factor for heart disease. Risk factors include:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• Diabetes
• smoking
• Have a family history of early-onset heart disease

Obesity also increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prediabetes, which increases your risk of heart disease. Aside from family history, other risk factors can be modified to reduce your risk of heart disease.

2. Manage current health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Talk to your health care provider to find out the best treatment plan.

3. Recognize the symptoms of a heart attack in women and call 9-1-1 if necessary. Know that women’s symptoms may be the same as men’s, or they may be different.

Symptoms include:

• Pain or pressure in the chest, arms, neck, jaw, back, or abdomen
• shortness of breath
• nausea/vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• extreme fatigue
• cold sweat

As with men, the most common symptom of a heart attack in women is chest discomfort. However, heart attacks can sometimes occur without chest pain or pressure. Women are also more likely than men to experience symptoms such as back pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, indigestion, and nausea/vomiting.

If you have these symptoms and suspect a heart attack, call 9-1-1. Even if you’re not sure, calling us could save your life.

4. Do regular physical activity and maintain a healthy weight. You don’t have to complete all activities at a set time. It’s okay if you don’t like gyms.

Walking may be an easy way to start. Talk to your health care provider about what level of activity is right for you.

5. Choose heart-healthy foods. For example, you can eat fruits and vegetables at every meal. Limit saturated fats and added sugars. And eat more whole grains. Choose the leanest meat available and prepare it in a healthy way.

Updated nutrition facts labels give you important information about the packaged foods you eat. Includes serving size and details about sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. Check with your health care provider about food choices that are best for you.

6. Know that daily use of aspirin is not suitable for everyone. Talk to your health care provider before using aspirin to prevent a heart attack.

7. If you smoke, try to quit. Find out how smoking affects your heart health and learn more about medications that can help you quit.

8. Talk to your health care provider about whether you can participate in a heart drug or surgery clinical trial. A clinical trial is research involving human volunteers. For more information, visit the FDA’s Women in Clinical Trials page.

Menopause and hormone therapy

Menopause does not cause heart disease. However, the decrease in estrogen after menopause may be one of several factors that increase the risk of heart disease.

Other risks, such as weight gain, may also increase around menopause.

Hormone therapy can be used to treat some of the problems women have during menopause. However, the FDA has not approved estrogen hormone replacement therapy to reduce heart disease. Learn more about menopause and hormones.

make a plan and take action

Work with your health care provider to develop a plan for heart health. Whatever routine you choose, make a list of your medications and supplements and bring them with you to all your appointments. If you have any questions, please consult your health care provider.