Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, claiming more lives than all cancers combined. Yet it is still widely misunderstood as a “man’s disease.” The truth is sobering: over 60 million women in the United States—44% of the female population—are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. For too long, women’s heart health has been neglected, under-diagnosed, and under-treated.

When most people think about protecting their heart, they focus on blood pressure, cholesterol, and exercise. But one of the most important players in cardiovascular health may be hiding in plain sight: your gut. Over the last decade, researchers have uncovered a fascinating relationship between the gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive tract—and the health of your heart and blood vessels. An imbalanced gut doesn’t just affect digestion. It can increase inflammation, alter how cholesterol is processed, and even raise blood pressure, all of which add up to higher cardiovascular risk.

You might think blood sugar balance only matters for people with diabetes. But the truth? It matters for everyone, especially after 40.

As a cardiologist with over 12 years of experience, I've seen firsthand the critical role that cholesterol management plays in maintaining heart health. Elevated cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Here are five evidence-based strategies I recommend to my patients to effectively lower cholesterol levels.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide. Often termed the "silent killer" due to its asymptomatic nature, hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health issues. Understanding the relationship between blood pressure and heart health is crucial for prevention and management.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. While traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking have long been recognized, recent research has illuminated the pivotal role of inflammation in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).