Heart disease in women

Study up on how declining estrogen during menopause is associated with increased heart disease risk — and use our cheat sheet to start a meaningful conversation with your doctor.

What you need to know about your risk

Estrogen delays heart disease in women. During menopause, lower estrogen levels increase heart disease risks, like high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Take these questions to your next doctor visit to start a meaningful conversation. You can take a screen shot or click on the cheat sheet for a printable PDF..

60 million

Women in the U.S. living with heart disease¹

1 in 3

Women's deaths each year are due to heart disease²

52%

Of cases of fatal hypertension are in women²

Breaking the silence around women’s heart health

Think about this eye-opening fact: Cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more women than all forms of cancer combined.² Knowing the signs of heart disease — and recognizing they’re not the same for women as for men — could be the difference between life and death.

Look and listen for signs

Learn more about the different cardiovascular diseases that can affect your heart health, as well as common symptoms. Find out if you have a family history of heart disease and talk with a doctor about it.

Get active

Studies show that exercise is not only good for you, but really one of your best bets to improve your heart health. And that can start with something as simple as walking more.

Find your support network

Having people and support around you can make a difference. That’s one of the reasons we created the Abbott HeartMates community.

Meet our heart health heroes

WATCH VIDEO

Lakeisha Brown

Brown’s simple message: “Pay attention to your body.” Go along on her journey, from shocking diagnosis to solution.

WATCH VIDEO

Christy Kirk

Kirk discovered a heart issue because “I pushed for answers.” And that helped put her dream of running marathons back on track.

Heather Strong

For stroke survivor Strong, heart health is a family affair. “You do need support,” she says. “I can’t do it by myself.”

MacKenzie Maddry

“You don’t want people to have to go through the things you’ve gone through,” says Maddry. Read her inspiring story.

Join the Abbott HeartMates community

What’s the Abbott HeartMates program all about? Building a community where people with heart conditions can build each other up and celebrate wins. Access our HeartMates huddles, exclusive events and more by signing up today.

Join the team

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What is a heart health screening?

This routine checkup helps you and your doctor better understand whether you’re at risk for heart disease.
6 cardio exercises for hypertension

Use these simple steps to get active, lower blood pressure and support a healthier heart.

Abbott HeartMates community

Join our uplifting community of people impacted by heart conditions. The Abbott HeartMates program connects you with others who understand your journey.

Cardiovascular

Our products to support heart health include pacemakers, heart valve therapies, LVADs, insertable cardiac monitors and more.

Newsroom

Stay up to date with the latest press releases news and insights from Abbott.

References

¹ Reference: Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics–2023 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;147(8):e93–e621.

² https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts

Hello, welcome to Abbott.

Heart disease in women

Study up on how declining estrogen during menopause is associated with increased heart disease risk — and use our cheat sheet to start a meaningful conversation with your doctor.

Breaking the silence around women’s heart health

Meet our heart health heroes

Related articles

Women aren't cared for like men — and it's killing them

What is a heart health screening?

6 cardio exercises for hypertension

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