Updated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health for Women

You know that heart health is important, but when you’re juggling work and home life, keeping heart healthy through diet and exercise can be tough. For people with lupus, especially women, those little slips can spell big trouble.

Lupus and its treatment often create problems, says Amy Kao, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh’s Lupus Center of Excellence. "People with lupus may be more likely to be physically inactive or develop excessive weight gain from steroids," she says. "Lupus itself can cause increased cardiovascular-disease risks, such as hypertension -- especially among those with lupus nephritis."

Learn Heart-Healthy Do's and Don'ts.