When you hear about someone who has a “broken heart,” you probably think of a relationship that’s recently ended. And when you read about heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, you may tend to think about these as men’s health issues – not something that could happen to you. But the fact is that heart problems are a very serious health issue for women, with more women dying from heart disease than men each year. In the U.S., over 265,000 women die from heart attacks annually; that’s more than six times as many who lose their battles with breast cancer. And according to the Women’s Heart Foundation, worldwide, about one-third of all women’s deaths can be attributed to heart disease.

Know Your Risks and Lower Them

You know that smoking increases your risk for many diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. But did you know that a woman who smokes risks having a heart attack 19 years earlier than one who doesn’t? That’s 19 precious years you could be throwing away by smoking. Meanwhile, if you have diabetes, hypertension, or are obese, your risk for a heart attack is also significantly elevated. Do what you can to mitigate these factors by regularly visiting your primary care provider (or your cardiologist if you’ve been referred to one), eating right, exercising regularly, and, if needed, entering a smoking cessation program.

Cardiac Health and Pregnancy

As noted above, hypertension – also known as high blood pressure – is a serious risk factor for heart disease in women. All women should pay special attention to their blood pressure, but this is particularly important in women who are taking oral birth control, have gone through menopause, or who are pregnant. During pregnancy in particular, having uncontrolled high blood pressure can be life-threatening for both mom and baby.

If you are planning on getting pregnant, do what you can to lower your blood pressure ahead of time. This means losing weight, not smoking, exercising regularly, and taking your blood pressure medication as prescribed. Be sure to ask your doctor if your medication is safe to take during pregnancy and visit his or her office often during your pregnancy so your condition can be closely monitored.

Preeclampsia is a serious form of high blood pressure that can occur after the 20th week of pregnancy. Left untreated, it can cause low birth weight, premature delivery, and other serious risks for mother and baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of preeclampsia while pregnant, including headaches, vision problems, rapid weight gain, and swelling.

Good News

On the upside, women’s hearts have been shown to respond better to healthy lifestyle changes than men’s, and even small changes in your diet and exercise routine can make a real difference over time. So start showing your heart some love by visiting your doctor regularly, reducing your risk factors, and pampering yourself with healthy foods.