Today we begin a series called "Heart Healthy for the Holidays".  Since heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in this country, we want our holiday gift to you to be information on how you can reduce your risk of this deadly and disabling condition.  With us to introduce this topic is Dr. Rose Marie Robertson, President of the American Heart Association.

Dr. Robertson, what's the most important thing you would like women to know about heart disease?

"You know a very important thing is for women to realize that their risk of dying of heart disease and stroke is just as great as men's. . .Women often think about breast cancer, but the risk of dying of breast cancer over your total life span is only 3%, whereas the risk of dying of health disease or stroke is nearly 50%."

In addition to menopause, what are the risk factors women should know about for heart disease?

"You know it's very important for women to realize what the risk factors are for coronary heart disease and stroke. It's very important to realize that smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and physical inactivity all increase your risk for heart disease and stroke." 

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Created: 12/12/2000  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.