Know Heart and Stroke One in two women will eventually die of heart disease or stroke, compared with one in 27 who will eventually die of breast cancer. But don't let those statistics get you down. The good news is that you can substantially reduce many of your risk factors for heart disease and stroke with a few simple lifestyle changes. And if you've already experienced heart disease or stroke, those lifestyle changes can help you have a more successful recovery. For more statistics on women and cardiovascular disease, click here.
Cardiovascular disease includes diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Heart and blood vessel problems develop over time and occur when arteries that supply the heart or brain with blood slowly become clogged from a buildup of cells, fat and cholesterol. This buildup is called plaque. When the blood flow gets blocked, you could have a heart attack or stroke. To learn more about a specific cardiovascular disease, click here . Stroke is a woman's problem, too.