Fact or Fiction? Cardiovascular Disease Kills More Women Annually Than All Cancers Combined

In today’s installment of our test on common breast myths, we’re actually going to expound upon yesterday’s post about causes of death. Yesterday, we addressed breast cancer versus other cancers. But it’s important to know that when it comes to women’s health, there’s more than just cancer.

Does cardiovascular disease kill more women annually than all cancers combined?

YES. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in women (and men). By a lot. One in 3 women has some type of cardiovascular disease. As a whole these conditions are largely preventable or at least have factors you can modify to lessen your risk and include such things as strokes, heart attacks and other vascular problems. The greatest risk of heart disease and strokes is after menopause, but various forms of it can also affect younger women.

So, lest you think our focus is only on breast health, we would like to keep a healthy perspective and remind everyone that cardiovascular health is key. The health of one part of the body affects the rest of the body, and that’s never more true than it is for the heart. If the heart ain’t healthy, ain’t no body part happy! Please take care of your heart so it can take care of you.

Originally published 7/31/13 on mammographykc.com.