Many women think of heart disease and heart problems as a male related disease. Statistically 1 in 4 women will die from heart disease. Go Red for Women helps women uncover the truth

Since 2004, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement has helped women uncover the truth about heart disease. Jennie Garth has joined forces with Go Red For Women to promote their new online Go Red BetterU program. You may remember her from Beverly Hills 90210 and Dancing with the Stars. She announced recently that she suffers from a leaky heart valve (valve regurgitation) which occurs when the heart’s valves do not close tightly causing blood to leak backward forcing the heart to work harder to pump the same amount of blood.

The actress was diagnosed during a routine check-up seven years ago. She has a family history of heart disease and recently opened up about her illness for American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women, “I’ve been affected by heart disease practically my whole life”, said Garth, “My father has struggled with heart disease since he was 50 and I lost him a year ago”.

Though she currently leads a normal active life, she notes that trouble could arise as she ages. “Down the road it’s something that could get more complicated or it could not”, she explained. “People have had valve replacements and that kind of thing… but I’m prepared, that’s the key”. Garth is currently reprising her role as Kellie Taylor on the new 90210. She is married to Peter Facinelli, from the Twilight series, and has three daughters.

One in ten Americans suffers from heart disease and one in four women will die of heart disease. Heart disease develops gradually and can start at a very young age-even in your teenage years. Yet most women experience no symptoms and require no medical treatment.

Good news though! You can lower your risk – we all know what we’re supposed to do. Eat healthily - avoid salt and fatty, processed foods. Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. And if you smoke – QUIT. But it’s hard. I know.

So, if you're a woman between the ages of 40-60, it's particularly important that you educate yourself about the dangers of heart disease. And Go Red for Women!

Stacy Matson is a health enthusiast from Southern California and regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of the Best.