Health Tip: Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, government statistics show.

The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says risk factors for heart disease in women include:

• Having diabetes, pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
• Using birth control pills.
• Smoking.
• Having high cholesterol, high triglycerides or high blood pressure.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Living a sedentary lifestyle.
• Eating a fatty diet.
• Undergoing stress.
• Being depressed.