Intro: It’s time to Ask a Scientist about women’s heart health. I’m Asia Chandler here with Dr. Candice Price from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at NIH. 
 
AC: Dr. Price, heart disease is the leading cause of death in everyone, but there are extra risks for women.  Are enough women aware of that? 
 
CP: As scientists, we pay attention to data and the data is telling us is that awareness that heart disease is the number one killer decreased from 65% in 2009 down to 44% in 2019. 
 
AC: Why should all women—but especially Black and Latino women—pay attention? 
 
CP: Black and Latino women tend to have higher rates of health conditions, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes,  which increases the risk of heart disease. 
 
AC: Is heart disease only a risk later in life? 

CP: Awareness is especially important for women of all ages. Younger women who may be thinking about becoming pregnant now or in the future may be at a risk for heart  problems before, during, and after pregnancy. 

Outro: To learn more about risk factors for heart disease visit nhlbi.nih.gov.