Women's Health Topics > Heart Health for Women

Women's Health Topics > Heart Health for Women

Heart Health for Women

Print and Share a Fact Sheet on Heart Health (PDF 135KB) 

You may think heart disease only affects men. This is not true. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. FDA has tips to help you make good decisions about your heart health. 

• Eat a heart healthy diet.
• Manage your health conditions.   
• Get the facts about aspirin.
• Know the signs of a heart attack.

1. Eat a heart healthy diet.

The nutrition facts on the food label can help you make healthy food choices.

• Choose foods that are ‘low salt’ or ‘low sodium’.
• Limit foods that have ‘trans fat’. Too much trans fat can cause heart attacks.
• Cut back on sugar. Sugar is also labeled as ‘glucose’, ‘fructose’, ‘sucrose’, and ‘corn syrup’. 

• Watch "Eat for a Healthy Heart  " video. 
• Get tips on how to use the nutrition facts label.  

2. Manage your health conditions.   

Common health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. 

• Take your medicines as directed. Do not stop taking your medicines until your doctor says that it is OK.
• If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar level.
• Get your blood pressure and cholesterol tested.
• Ask your doctor how you should manage your health conditions during pregnancy.
• Some women need a device to help their heart work.  Talk to your doctor about what device is best for your heart problem. 

• Download a booklet to help you talk to your doctor about medicines for diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. 
• Learn about the risks of taking statin medicines to lower your cholesterol.
  
  

 3. Get the facts about aspirin.

Daily use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks or a stroke is not right for everyone. 

• Ask your healthcare provider if you should use aspirin.
• If aspirin is right for you, find out:

             -how much you should take

             -how often you should take it.

             -how long you should take aspirin. Some products combine aspirin with other ingredients and are not

              meant for long-term use.

• Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines and supplements you take. Your risk of bleeding may be higher if you use aspirin with also taking certain medicines, vitamins, or herbs.

• Read other tips on the daily use of aspirin. 
  
  

4. Know the signs of a heart attack.

 The signs of a heart attack can be different for women than they are for men.

• Chest pain (heavy ache or pressure)
• Pain in your upper body (arms, neck, jaw, back or upper stomach)
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in a cold sweat

• Unusual or unexplained tiredness
• Feeling dizzy or light-headed
• Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)

 Call 9-1-1 if you think you are having a heart attack.

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Learn More About Heart Disease:

• The Heart Truth Campaign for Women
• Make the Call - Heart Attack Information for Women
• Million Hearts Campaign
• Eat for a Healthy Heart