According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute the number one cause of female death is heart disease with 365,000 deaths not breast cancer as being feared the most by all women.

The Top 5 Killers of Women: Heart Disease with 365,000 Stroke with 100,000 Lung Cancer with 68,000 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with 64,000 , and Breast Cancer with 42,000

Heart Disease with 365,000

Stroke with 100,000

Lung Cancer with 68,000

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with 64,000 , and

Breast Cancer with 42,000

FACTS from the American Heart Association: Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, more than deaths from breast cancer and lung cancer combined 1 in 29 women dies of breast cancer. About 1 in 2.4 women dies of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, more than deaths from breast cancer and lung cancer combined

1 in 29 women dies of breast cancer. About 1 in 2.4 women dies of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

38 percent of women compared with 25 percent of men will die within one year after a heart attack. Of all deaths from cardiovascular disease in the U.S., more than 53 percent occur in women. Although heart disease strikes postmenopausal women most often, it also kills 10,000 U.S. women under age 50 each year

38 percent of women compared with 25 percent of men will die within one year after a heart attack.

Of all deaths from cardiovascular disease in the U.S., more than 53 percent occur in women.

Although heart disease strikes postmenopausal women most often, it also kills 10,000 U.S. women under age 50 each year

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills nearly half a million women a year, about one per minute. 1 in 5 women has some form of cardiovascular disease. One in four females and one in four males in the United States suffers from a form of CVD 64% percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills nearly half a million women a year, about one per minute.

1 in 5 women has some form of cardiovascular disease.

One in four females and one in four males in the United States suffers from a form of CVD

64% percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.

Stroke is the No. 2 cause of death for American women and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Black and Hispanic women have higher risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status. Only 13 percent of women believe heart disease and stroke are the greatest health threat to women.

Stroke is the No. 2 cause of death for American women and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability.

Black and Hispanic women have higher risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status.

Only 13 percent of women believe heart disease and stroke are the greatest health threat to women.

Tips to reduce the risk of heart disease: Maintain a desirable weight. Keep body mass index (BMI) below 25 and waistline less than 35 inches.

Maintain a desirable weight. Keep body mass index (BMI) below 25 and waistline less than 35 inches.

Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week Don’t smoke; if you do try to quit

Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week

Don’t smoke; if you do try to quit

Eat a balanced diet: Fruits, vegetables, cereal and grain products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, fish, poultry and lean meat

Eat a balanced diet: Fruits, vegetables, cereal and grain products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, fish, poultry and lean meat

Maintain a total cholesterol level under 200 and an HDL level of 50 or higher Control your blood pressure , ideally below 120/80 Schedule regular medical check ups with your doctor

Maintain a total cholesterol level under 200 and an HDL level of 50 or higher

Control your blood pressure , ideally below 120/80

Schedule regular medical check ups with your doctor