Just as breast cancer is killing our African American women, heart disease is also a major disease killing our women. Heart disease is a leading cause of death nationwide among both women and men. Approximately 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States (Heart Disease Burden in America, 2013). Some facts about heart disease say that about 935,000 Americans have a heart attack every year. Of these, 610,000 are victims of their first heart attack. 325,000 occur in people who have already had a heart attack. Even coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health services, medications and lost productivity. Heart disease deaths in the United States in 2008 killed approximately 24.5 percent of African Americans. Some of the key factors of heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Half of Americans have one of these three risk factors. The Center for Disease Control states that many other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at greater risk of heart disease, including; diabetes, overweight and obesity, poor diet, low physical activity, and excessive alcohol abuse (burden of heart disease in America, 2013). Heart disease is a group of diseases of the heart and the blood vessel system in the heart. Coronary heart disease is the most common type; affects the blood vessels of the heart. African American women are more likely to die from heart disease than any other race because some say African American women do not receive the same treatment that white races will receive. Heart disease and obesity go hand in hand. There is much more than a common occurrence for overweight people who will be increasingly and there...... middle of paper ......control of high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol• Education on signs and symptoms and the importance of calling 9-1-1 • Improve emergency response Improve quality of care • Eliminate health disparities • Focus on health care and workplace settings In conclusion, heart disease they are killing our black woman more than cancer. Black women need to take back control of their bodies and should want to start living a healthier lifestyle. If women of color are getting the short end of the stick for treatment, they should commit to working on their health with the support of friends and loved ones. No one should have to deal with pain and discomfort alone. Just as there is a support group for coping with cancer, there needs to be a support group for women with heart conditions; and that group that supports them is called the Lord in Red.