I love this picture of my mom. She’s the reason I’m blogging my heart out today – speaking out about women and heart disease. My mom had high blood pressure and was on medication for it. But her doctor took her off the meds. A few weeks later, she died. There are so many “what ifs” – far too many to get into.

Since then, I’ve learned to live my life without “what ifs” – I don’t want to have any regrets.

What if I could have helped someone with what I know but I did nothing?

Here’s what I know about women and heart disease:

  • Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women
  • Every minute, a woman dies of heart disease
  • More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer

If heart disease runs in your family like it does in mine – my dad just had his second heart attack last fall – you’re more likely to develop it. But, guess what? You can take steps right now to help prevent that from happening:

  • Stop Smoking
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Lower your cholesterol levels
  • Lower high blood pressure
  • Be physically active every day
  • Manage diabetes
  • Stay at a healthy weight
  • Reduce stress
  • Limit alcohol

Source: American Heart Association

Now that you know this information, how about passing it on? Go Red For Women:

Tell 5 Women You Want Them To Live

Tell 5 Friends How They Can Fight Heart Disease

Remember… no “what ifs…”