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.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death for American women after diseases of the heart and cancer. It claims more than twice as many lives as breast cancer. Get more statistical facts about women and stroke, as well as information on support groups and help for caregivers on our stroke pages by clicking here . It's true that simple lifestyle changes can decrease your risks of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke. But to make those changes, you've got to understand the risk factors.