Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading
cause of death and disability in North
American women. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)
claim the lives of more than half a million women
each yearVabout 1 death per minute.1 Yet, most
women have difficulty recognizing and modifying
their risk for CVD.2 Only 13% of women cite heart
disease as their greatest health threat and a mere
38% of women report their physicians ever discussing
heart disease with them.3 Although at significant
risk, women tend to be underserved in the area of
cardiovascular health. Healthcare providers have
important opportunities to educate women about
CVD risks and provide efficacious interventions to
reduce these risks.3