Significant progress is being made in raising awareness of a primary threat to women’s health: heart disease, which has traditionally been viewed as an issue mainly concerning men. Thanks in part to awareness campaigns launched by the current First Lady, Laura Bush, and the designation of the month of February as a national awareness month for women and heart disease, women are increasingly realizing that heart health matters for them, not just for their husbands, brothers, and fathers.

Upon hearing the phrase “women’s health,” most people promptly think of reproductive health (e.g., breast self-exams, regular gynecologist appointments, prevention of ovarian cancer) and health issues that commonly manifest after menopause, such as osteoporosis. However, recent statistics show that heart disease is the number-one killer of U.S. women, killing more each year than all cancers combined.

Past studies indicate that women presenting to hospital emergency departments with signs of impending heart attack (e.g., nausea, sweating, dizziness) were much more likely than men to be sent home without a proper diagnosis. Research also shows that primary physicians are less like to prescribe preventive treatment to their female patients, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, blood-pressure reducing drugs, and cardiac rehabilitation, further exposing women to the risk of heart disease.

It is important for women to take charge of their cardiac health. Some risk factors are uncontrollable, such as getting older, your family’s health history, and race (heart disease is more common among African-American women, for example). But preventive efforts within a woman’s control include cutting down on or (preferably) quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet that includes avoiding foods that are high in saturated fat, getting regular exercise for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week, and maintaining a healthy body weight. If you aren’t sure what weight range is considered healthy for your size, check with your physician.

Also, you do have a measure of control, to some extent, when it comes to your family’s health history. Empower yourself by learning if members of your family have had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or have experienced heart attacks. This knowledge can help you work with your healthcare provider so that he or she can prescribe preventive treatments such as those mentioned above.

Another way to protect yourself from life-threatening or permanently disabling effects of heart disease is to be aware of signs and symptoms. Although heart disease is commonly referred to as the “silent” killer because of seemingly absent symptoms, warning symptoms often do occur but are mistakenly attributed to other causes. For example, arm or chest pain, especially during stressful times or periods of intense activity, can signal poor heart health and a risk for heart attack. So can frequent fatigue (tiredness) for no apparent reason; heart palpitations, or abnormal beats; and shortness of breath.

The most common sign of an impending heart attack for women is, as in men, chest pain or a feeling of discomfort. This “discomfort” can manifest as tightness, a squeezing sensation, or a feeling of pressure. Cold sweats are another common sign for both genders, as is pain in the left arm. But women may be slightly more likely than men to experience a variety of other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and pain in the jaw or back just before a heart attack.

Other issues of concern regarding women and heart health include the use of birth control pills and hormone therapy. Premenopausal women using birth control pills generally are at little increased risk for experiencing heart disease caused by birth control use. However, women who smoke or who have high blood pressure should consult with their healthcare provider before going on birth control pills, as studies have shown the pill can increase the risk of heart disease for smokers or women with high blood pressure. Hormone therapy was traditionally viewed as actually helping to prevent heart disease, but recent studies show it actually carries more risks than benefits in this area.

Heart disease is well on its way to shedding its nickname of the “silent killer” for women thanks to the many recent studies and awareness campaigns. Women must remain vigilant for signs and symptoms, educate themselves on their family’s health history, and attempt to lead a heart-friendly lifestyle that includes healthy diet, regular exercise, and no smoking.