More Women Cite Heart as Top Health Risk

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. women, and more of them realize it today than 15 years ago, a survey shows. About 56% of those surveyed last year knew about this risk. That’s nearly double the 30% rate in 1997. Awareness rose from 15% to 36% among black women and from 20% to 34% among Hispanics. Though that’s a sharp increase, rates still lagged those among white women. Young women had the lowest awareness of heart disease risk among all age groups, about 44%. The American Heart Association sponsored the survey, which included 2,400 women. This month marks the 10th anniversary of the group’s “Go Red for Women!” campaign. Public health campaigns have helped to boost awareness. Yet nearly half of U.S. women still don’t know that heart disease is their top risk of death. More efforts are needed, particularly among minority women, the study’s author told HealthDay News.