Cardiovascular Disease (also called heart disease) includes many problems, most related to atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries causing narrowing and making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms it can stop blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke.

Additional Resources
Y American Heart Association www.americanheart.org Y Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/heartdisease

References
American Heart Association. (2013). What is cardiovascular disease (heart disease)? Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregive r/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/ What-is-CardiovascularDisease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp Boeree, C. G. (2006). Personality theories: Albert Bandura. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/bandura. html Centers for Disease Control. (2013). Heart disease facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm Moran, B. and Walsh, T. (2013). Cardiovascular disease in women. Nursing for Womens Health, 17(1), 63-68. doi: 10.1111/1751486X.12008 Mosca, L., Benjamin, E. J., Berra, K., et al. (2011). Effectiveness-based guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in women-2011 update: A guideline from the American Heart Association. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(12), 1404-1423. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2011.02.005

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Statistics
YCVD is the leading cause of death of women in the U.S., killing about 1 woman every minute. YExperts estimate that one in two U.S. women will die of heart disease or stroke. YHeart disease killed 26% of the women who died in 2006. YCVD kills more women than cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer disease, and accidents combined.

Cassie Schmidt Auburn University

The lifetime risk for CVD is high in almost all women and approaches 1 in 2 on average, so prevention is important in all women. Preventable Risk Factors Obesity Poor diet Physical inactivity Cigarette smoking Hypertension, high blood pressure >120/80 Total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, HDL <50 mg/dL Guidelines continue to prioritize lifestyle approaches to prevention of CVD, likely the most costeffective strategy.

Cigarette Smoking
Tobacco use is the leading cause of heart attack in younger women. Do not smoke and avoid environmental tobacco smoke (second hand smoke).

Poor Diet
Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables; choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods; consume fish, especially oily fish, at least twice a week; limit intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, alcohol, sodium, and sugar; avoid trans-fatty acids. Lower blood pressure through alcohol moderation, sodium restriction, and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products. Eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high blood cholesterol.

Obesity
Nearly 2 of every 3 U.S. women >20 years of age are now overweight or obese. Maintain or lose weight through an appropriate balance of physical activity and caloric intake to achieve an appropriate body weight and BMI <25.

Dietary Intake Recommendations for Women

Physical Inactivity
Physical activity goal for adults >20 years of age: >150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise, >75 minutes a week of vigorous intensity exercise, or combination.

Fruits and vegetables >4.5 cups/day Fish 2 servings/week Fiber 30 g/day Whole grains 3 servings/day Sugar <5 servings/week Nuts, legumes, seeds >4 servings/week Saturated fat <7% total energy intake Cholesterol <150 mg/day Alcohol <1 serving/day Sodium <1,500 mg/day Trans-fatty acids 0