Risk factors for women

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American woman, so knowing and controlling your risk factors is important. Risk factors for heart disease are similar for men and women:

• family history of heart disease
• diabetes
• smoking
• obesity
• high blood pressure
• elevated cholesterol
• lack of physical activity

Diabetes is a bigger risk factor for women than men, increasing the risk of having heart disease three to seven times, compared with two to three times in men. Women with high levels of C-reactive protein (an indicator of inflammation) in their blood are at greater risk for heart attack and stroke.