While data has shown for years that cardiovascular disease is by far the number one killer of women in the U.S. — approximately 500,000 women die annually from heart disease — this fact is unknown by most women, who are under-utilizing the interventions that could make a difference. To help raise awareness of heart disease in women, in 2002, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) created The Heart Truth® campaign—a public awareness initiative aimed at alerting women to their risk of heart disease and the steps they can take to prevent it. The campaign symbol is The Red Dress®. The Foundation for the NIH (FNIH) supports this effort by attracting sponsors and managing a grant program that equips community organizations to spread the word and drive change.
 
Each year, the FNIH awards The Heart Truth® Community Action Grant Program grants to community colleges, local health departments and hospitals from across the country. These institutions reached into their communities to promote women’s heart health through activities such as health screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations, fashion shows, dance lessons and workplace, church and shopping mall events.
 
One-third of all women still underestimate their own personal risk of getting heart disease and one in four women still die from it, according to the NHLBI. The mission of The Heart Truth® is to get the word out that heart disease is largely preventable, especially in women ages 40 through 60, when the risk of heart disease starts to increase. But the message of the campaign is also important for younger women, since heart disease can develop gradually over many years and can even begin during the teenage years.
 
Be Heart Smart: Know the Risk Factors
Ensure your own heart health and talk to a doctor about risk factors that you may have for developing heart disease and determine what action you need to take to reduce your risk. The below four tips can actually lower your risk by as much as 82 percent:

• Eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy, monounsaturated fats like olive oil and omega-3-rich fish
• Exercise regularly at least 30 minutes everyday
• Stop smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight

Get Involved
Email this post to a female friend or family member and remind them of the need to protect their heart health and inspire them to take action. To learn how you can get involved in spreading the word about how women can reduce their heart disease risk in your community, visit the FNIH Cardiovascular Health page.
 
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