You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know—And That’s Dangerous

I didn’t know heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. I didn’t know it’s the #1 killer of women, taking one woman every 80 seconds in the U.S. alone. And I definitely didn’t know that nearly two-thirds of women who die suddenly from heart disease had no previous symptoms.

Why? Because we aren’t taught to think about it. We grow up hearing about breast cancer (which is incredibly important), but where’s the same urgency for the disease that’s taking 314,186 women every single year?

Here’s the Truth

• 90% of women have at least one risk factor for heart disease.

• Less than half of women know it’s their #1 health threat.

• Women under 50 are TWICE as likely to die after a heart attack compared to men.

But here’s something even more frustrating: The risk is even higher for women of color—and too many of them don’t even realize it.

Women of Color Are at Greater Risk

Black and Hispanic women are more likely to develop heart disease and less likely to be diagnosed and treated in time:

• Black women are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than white women and are less likely to have it under control.

• Hispanic women are more likely to develop diabetes, which significantly increases heart disease risk.

• Native American women have some of the highest rates of obesity and high blood pressure, yet face major disparities in heart care.

• Asian American women are at higher risk for stroke, but many don’t realize heart disease is a leading threat.

Despite these statistics, only 1 in 5 women of color believe they are personally at risk. And let’s be real—when they do speak up, they aren’t always listened to.

Symptoms That Get Dismissed

Women’s heart symptoms don’t always look like the “Hollywood heart attack.” Instead, they can feel like:

• Extreme fatigue (70% of women report this before a heart attack)

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Jaw, neck, or back pain

• A sense that something just isn’t right

• 
  

How many times have we brushed off these signs?🩶 “I’m just tired.”🩶 “It’s probably stress.”🩶 “Maybe I need more sleep.”

Meanwhile, heart disease is quietly doing its thing, and we don’t even realize we’re at risk.

So What Can We Do?

✅ Know your numbers – Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar MATTER

✅ Recognize the signs – If something feels off, don’t ignore it.

✅ Know your risk – Family history, pregnancy complications, and lifestyle factors all play a role.

✅ Speak up & push back – Women, especially women of color, are often dismissed in medical settings. If you feel unheard, keep pushing until someone listens.

Here’s the good news: Heart disease is 80% preventable—but only if we know the risks and take action.

Let’s stop keeping heart disease in the shadows. Let’s talk about it. Because what you don’t know can kill you.

#WomenAndHeartDisease #TricuspidValveMiracle #HeartHealthMatters #ListenToYourHeart #HealthEquity #HospiceSurvivor

 Heart disease is 80% preventable—but only if we know the risks and take action.