Heart Health, Stroke, and Diabetes

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“How could this happen to me?”

This is what one of my colleagues says her mother kept saying after she found out she had heart disease.

Stroke happens to 1 in 5 women. In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. This is unfortunate because most strokes are preventable. 

Did you know that March is National Kidney Month? It’s a time to talk about kidney health and chronic kidney disease, a common disease among adults in the United States. That’s why we asked Dr. Kajal Patel, a doctor who specializes in kidney care and disease treatment, to share how women can keep their kidneys healthy and what they need to know about chronic kidney disease. Get her tips for kidney health and learn about women’s unique risk factors for kidney disease.

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of American women, and stroke is fourth? The good news is there are steps you can take to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke at any age. We spoke to Dr. Rachel Dreyer, an Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Medicine who specializes in cardiovascular outcomes research with a focus on women’s health. Dr. Dreyer shares the basics you need to know about heart disease and how to keep your heart healthy.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from TIME. The original post date was February 22, 2016. Read the original post.

Heart disease was never something I worried about. I know it's the number one killer of women, but I've always done everything "right." I exercise regularly. I maintain a healthy weight. My numbers are good, so I don't have high cholesterol or hypertension. But I do have one risk factor — my father has a history of coronary heart disease.

I can admit it: I love food.

In New Orleans — my hometown — food is serious business.

Gumbo? Yes, please.

Doberge cake? You have no idea what you are missing.

Agreed denial. That was our little dance — my mother and me — when it came to her health concerns. Her Parkinson's started with a pinky tremor. My adoptive mother — 50 years older than me, widowed, and fiercely independent — was determined to live alone. Then came heart disease, and the Parkinson's got worse. I was preoccupied.

Women's health. Two words, so many topics. Of course, everyone is passionate about different issues. That's why we try to discuss many subjects on the OWH Blog, often through the voice of a woman who has a deep and personal connection to that topic. It's been two years since we launched our blog, and to celebrate our anniversary, I want to share five of my favorite posts and why I think every woman should read them.