Here’s a powerful truth we don’t talk about enough: Heart disease is the number one killer of women. Not stress. Not cancer. Not “just getting older.” But the heart. And most of us don’t realize it until it’s too late.
The good news? Up to 80% of cardiac and stroke events are preventable. That means your power lies in knowledge, awareness, and action.
You don’t need to wait for a wake-up call. One woman, a lifelong athlete and marathon runner, did everything “right”—and still experienced a cardiac arrest at 39. She had mitral valve prolapse (which she knew about), was recovering from a cold, running while slightly dehydrated, and had a family history. But even with all that, her symptoms—chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, frequent throat clearing, and constant urination—were all dismissed or misdiagnosed.
What she didn’t know? These are common signs of heart failure.
And most of us don’t either.
This is your nudge to stop normalizing the exhaustion, the breathlessness, the strange cough that never seems to go away. It’s time to shift from silence to inquiry.
Start with a single question at your next appointment:
“How is my heart?”
Ask it. Own it. Prioritize it.
We’ve been conditioned to think heart disease is a “man's issue” or something for later in life. But heart conditions in women can look very different—and too often get overlooked or brushed off. It’s not about fear. It’s about power. When you know what to ask, what to watch for, and how to advocate for yourself, you protect your life and your vitality.
Here are your next steps:
1. Know your symptoms.
Especially if you’re experiencing persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, a lingering cough, or even something that seems minor like frequent urination—pay attention. These aren’t just “normal aging” quirks.
2. Ask for heart-specific tests.
If you have risk factors—like family history, prior diagnoses, or any of the symptoms listed—push for a deeper look. That might mean an echocardiogram, EKG, or stress test. Don’t settle for “you’re fine” if your body is saying otherwise.
3. Hydrate smart, train smart, and recover smart.
Especially around illness or intense training. Dehydration and exertion can compound heart risk when other issues are quietly lurking.
4. Talk to your family.
Heart history matters. If you’ve had relatives with sudden cardiac events or strokes, make sure your doctor knows.
Because the truth is: You’re not too young. You’re not too fit. You’re not too “healthy-looking” to be at risk. But with knowledge and action, you’re far more powerful than the statistics.
Watch Susan Koeppen’s powerful story of whole health, recovery, and resilience on YouTube now from WHC’s The BEST of LIFE Summit. It might just save a life—maybe even your own.
