By michael - February, 6th 2014

The number-one killer in America (for both men and women), heart disease is the result of the narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart with blood, oxygen, and nutrients. This process, called coronary artery disease, can generally be traced to a condition called atherosclerosis, the build-up of cholesterol-rich fatty deposits, or plaques, on the inside of arterial walls. As these deposits accumulate over time, the coronary arteries narrow to the point that the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart is impeded. (Arterial spasms — triggered by smoking, extreme emotional stress, or exposure to very cold temperatures — may also cause coronary arteries to narrow suddenly and dangerously.)

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of American women? Each year, it causes 1 in 3 deaths in American women.

This Friday, February 7, is the American Heart Association’s 10th Annual Go Red For Women “National Wear Red Day,” a day designed to raise awareness of the fight against heart disease in women.

Aside from wearing red on February 7 to increase awareness of what “go red” means, take the opportunity to educate yourself and learn how to reduce your own risk from heart disease and live more “heart healthy.” Here are some simple ways to get started.

Get educated about heart disease. This might sound like a no-brainer, but many people don’t know what heart disease really is, or think there’s nothing they can do to prevent heart disease. This is simply not true—according to the American Heart Association, “the real preventative power lies with real changes to your lifestyle – which can reduce the risk …

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