Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women in the U.S. And African American women have an even higher risk of dying from heart disease, at a younger age, that white women, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Dr. LaPrincess Brewer, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says this serious issue is amplified by the fact that many African American women are not aware of their risk.

"Each year, more African American women die from heart disease than breast cancer, lung cancer and strokes combined, which makes heart disease the No. 1 killer of African American women in our nation. However, studies have also revealed that less than half of African American women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 cause of death," says Dr. Brewer.
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