Women's heart health--an integrated approach to prevention.

The major causes of death and disability in women include in order: heart disease, cancer, stroke, fractures, pneumonia, osteoarthritis, and cataracts. This paper discusses common preventive approaches that have the potential to reduce women's risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as well as cancer, osteoporosis, and fractures. These preventive approaches include smoking cessation or prevention, physical activity, weight control and consuming a healthy diet.