Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of women, with over 2 million premature deaths every year. This represents one-third of all deaths, and CVD kills more women than cancer, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.

Despite progresses in the past years, women are still discriminated against when it comes to the management and treatment of CVD. They are more likely than men to be under-diagnosed and under-treated, mostly because the presentation, progression and outcomes of the disease are different and less understood in women than in men.

Most heart diseases are preventable. That is why the World Heart Federation, together with its members across the world, runs campaigns and activities to improve women’s knowledge of heart disease and stroke, encouraging them to take action and live longer, heart-healthy lives.