Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
How to use this page
United States Value:
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had angina or coronary heart disease, a heart attack or myocardial infarction, or a stroke
Additional Measures:
Explore Population Data:
Appears In:
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had angina or coronary heart disease, a heart attack or myocardial infarction, or a stroke
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had angina or coronary heart disease, a heart attack or myocardial infarction, or a stroke
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had angina or coronary heart disease, a heart attack or myocardial infarction, or a stroke
CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had angina or coronary heart disease, a heart attack or myocardial infarction, or a stroke
CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
US Value: 2.1%
Top State(s): Hawaii: 0.8%
Bottom State(s): Louisiana, Oklahoma: 3.4%
Definition: Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had angina or coronary heart disease, a heart attack or myocardial infarction, or a stroke
Data Source and Years: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2019-2020
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Cardiovascular disease refers to several heart conditions, including heart disease, heart attacks and strokes that result from plaque build-up in artery walls. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States. Among women, 1 in 5 deaths is attributed to cardiovascular disease. In addition, a significant proportion of pregnancy-related deaths are associated with cardiovascular conditions and multiple studies have found that women with multiple pregnancy complications are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the future.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high levels of stress and a family history of heart disease or stroke.
In 2017-2018, the annual direct and indirect costs of cardiovascular diseases and strokes totaled approximately $378 billion.
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease is higher among:
Lifestyle changes and managing risk factors can help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. An analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data shows an estimated 44% of the decline in heart disease deaths between 1980 and 2000 was attributable to reductions in four risk factors: cholesterol, blood pressure, physical inactivity and smoking. In 2018, as many as 80% of heart attacks and strokes could have been prevented with minor lifestyle changes and more consistent use of low-cost, over-the-counter medications.
The American Heart Association has created Life’s Essential 8, a tool for individuals to measure their heart health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed the Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program to reduce the risk of heart disease among low-income and underserved women by providing screening and other necessary services.
The Million Hearts 2027 initiative is a national effort to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the next five years by promoting community and clinical prevention programs. Healthy People 2030 also has numerous objectives related to improving cardiac health and reducing heart disease and stroke mortality, including a leading health indicator aimed at increasing the proportion of adults with hypertension whose blood pressure is under control.
Ford, Earl S., Umed A. Ajani, Janet B. Croft, Julia A. Critchley, Darwin R. Labarthe, Thomas E. Kottke, Wayne H. Giles, and Simon Capewell. “Explaining the Decrease in U.S. Deaths from Coronary Disease, 1980–2000.” New England Journal of Medicine 356, no. 23 (June 7, 2007): 2388–98. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa053935.
Grandi, Sonia M., Kristian B. Filion, Sarah Yoon, Henok T. Ayele, Carla M. Doyle, Jennifer A. Hutcheon, Graeme N. Smith, et al. “Cardiovascular Disease-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Women With a History of Pregnancy Complications.” Circulation 139, no. 8 (February 19, 2019): 1069–79. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.036748.
Tsao, Connie W., Aaron W. Aday, Zaid I. Almarzooq, Alvaro Alonso, Andrea Z. Beaton, Marcio S. Bittencourt, Amelia K. Boehme, et al. “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.” Circulation 145, no. 8 (February 22, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.