U.S. to reduce heart attacks by 1 million

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years, officials said.

Dr. Susan B. Shurin, acting director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, said as part of its 10th anniversary, The Heart Truth partnered with Million Heart to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in next five years.

"Although heart disease is still the leading cause of death for women, The Heart Truth and other campaigns have made great strides in raising women's awareness of heart disease and motivating them to find out their personal risk and take action to reduce it," Dr. Susan B. Shurin, acting director of the NHLBI, said in a statement.

"Women can greatly reduce their risk of heart disease by managing cholesterol levels, controlling blood pressure, not smoking and adopting other healthy habits, such as eating well, being active and keeping a healthy weight."

In 2009, 48 percent reported discussing heart disease with their doctor, up from 30 percent in 1997. Data also showed women who are aware heart disease is women's No. 1 killer were 35 percent more likely to be physically active and 47 percent more likely to report losing excess weight than women who were unaware, Shurin said.

Next Wednesday, the NHLBI's The Heart Truth campaign, with the support of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, will showcase its signature event, the Red Dress Collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.