AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Women’s History Month highlights the reality of heart disease By: American Heart Association News During Women’s History Month in March, the American Heart Association is highlighting a haunting reality: Heart disease is women’s No. 1 cause of death. “This is the thing most likely to kill a woman and we know it is 80% preventable,” said Dr. Tara Narula, a board-certified cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and CBS News senior medical correspondent. Close to every 80 seconds, a woman dies from cardiovascular disease, which kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. “A lot needs to happen” to reduce heart disease among women, Dr. Narula said. “The first thing is awareness, a real understanding that this is their biggest health threat.” Yet, from 2009-19, the number of women who recognize the deadly potential of cardiovascular disease dropped from 65% to 44%, with the youngest women, as well as Black and Hispanic women, being the least aware. “We need to educate women to make heart health a priority,” Dr. Narula said. “Once the damage is done to heart cells, in many cases it can be permanent or disabling.” She identified three areas to address: disparities in awareness and treatment, concerns specific to pregnancy and lifestyle issues.
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