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Heart disease is the leading cause of death among all adults in the U.S. Traditional risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking. However, mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, which are common in women Veterans, can also increase heart disease risk.
Women Veterans are more racially and ethnically diverse than non-Veteran women. This is another reason heart disease is more prominent in women Veterans. Black or non-Hispanic African American women experience higher rates of heart disease and related risk factors than white and Hispanic women Veterans.
Read more about risk factors and ways to stay heart healthy: https://news.va.gov/114864/dont-skip-a-beat-on-your-heart-health/