No. 1 — Heart diseaseHeart disease is responsible for more deaths in women than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease is the most significant health concern for women in the United States today, causing nearly 350,000 deaths each year.
No. 2 — Cancer
It's easy to believe cancer is a major threat to women's health, but the kinds of cancer women are dying of might surprise you. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common cause of cancer death in U.S. women is lung cancer. It's estimated that more than 70,000 women in the United States die of lung cancer each year, with the majority of these deaths linked to cigarette smoking. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women, responsible for about 40,000 deaths each year
No. 3 — Stroke
Nearly 160,000 people in the United States die of stroke each year, and almost two-thirds of them are women. Stroke not only is women's No. 3 killer, but also is one of the leading causes of disability in America.
No. 4 — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is an overall term for a group of chronic lung conditions, including bronchitis and emphysema. The main cause of COPD is smoking, and it's strongly associated with lung cancer, the No. 1 cause of cancer death in women
No. 5 — Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that goes beyond simple forgetfulness. What may start as slight memory loss and confusion eventually leads to irreversible mental impairment.
No. 6 — Diabetes
Diabetes, a group of diseases that affect the way your body uses blood sugar (glucose), is a serious health condition that affects about 18 million Americans, 5 million of whom are unaware that they have the disease. Many people learn they have diabetes only when they develop one of its life-threatening complications. Advanced diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure and severe nerve damage. People with diabetes are also two to four times more likely to die of heart disease and experience stroke.
No. 7 — Accidents
Each year, more than 38,000 women die from accidents (unintentional injuries). Although the statistics on accidental death are unclear, these trends may surprise you:
No. 8 — Pneumonia and influenza
Pneumonia and influenza combined are the eighth-leading cause of death for women in the United States today. Together they take the lives of more than 36,000 women each year.
The previous is a shortened list of the top eight health risks to women today.
For the whole article and ways to minimize your risk go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00014
