Heart disease deaths in American women continued to decline in 2005, and for the first time, have declined six years consecutively, covering the years 2000-2005, according to newly analyzed data announced today by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Preliminary data for 2005, the most recent year for which data are available. The analysis shows that women are living longer and healthier lives, and dying of heart disease at much later ages than in the past years. Women need to be aware of the major risk factors:
age (55 or older for women);
a family history of early heart disease;
high blood pressure;
high blood cholesterol;
diabetes;
smoking;
being overweight or obese; and
being physically inactive.
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