Heart disease is the number one killer of women.  Many women believe that cancer is, however fifty percent of women die from heart disease, while only five percent die from breast cancer. In 2006, all heart diseases in the United States combined claimed the lives of almost twice as many women compared to all forms of cancer combined.

Diabetes is one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease.  Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.  These risks are even greater for a woman with diabetes. An example is that diabetes increases the risk of heart disease three to seven times in women compared to two to three times in men.  Diabetes doubles the risk of a second heart attack in women.
  

Women face an increased risk of heart disease if they have diabetes because they have more adverse changes that add to heart disease risk.   Their blood pressure rises, good cholesterol levels fall, and abdominal fat increases.  Similar changes occur in men with diabetes but not to the extent it does in women.

If you are a woman with diabetes, you should discuss with your doctor what you should do to prevent heart disease and control your diabetes.