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Department of Internal Medicine

Information for Women About Heart Disease and Stroke

Cardiovascular Disease: The Silent Enemy

Although breast cancer has been widely perceived as a woman's most feared enemy, more women in the US die of heart disease than of all cancers combined! Heart disease in women is largely under-recognized; typically, a woman is older than a man when she exhibits symptoms which are often more subtle, making detection and diagnosis difficult. As a result, cardiovascular disease in women is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated, and many women fail to receive the needed treatment that could save their lives in a prompt fashion.

The key to reversing this trend lies in preventing the risk factors that contribute to heart disease — and increasing awareness of new therapies which can lower the incidence of the disease.

The Women's Cardiovascular Medicine Program strives to enhance awareness of women's heart health care among patients, health care providers, and policy-makers through a variety of educational tools, seminars, classes and events. Information is available on nutrition, hormone replacement therapy, hypertension, risk factors, exercise, medication schedules, osteoporosis prevention, and other topics. Individual teaching sessions, written materials, brochures and educational videos are also available.

General Education Materials

Ways in Which Heart Disease May Affect Women
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease and Stroke
Low Sodium, Exercise and Action Steps
10-Year Risk of Having a Heart Attack Calculator

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: "The Heart Truth Campaign"

Official Web site

Fact sheets:

Materials in Spanish:

American Heart Association: "Go Red For Women"

Official Web site

Materials in English:

Materials in Spanish:

Department of Health & Human Services: "Heart Healthy Women"

Official Web site