When was the last time you checked-in with your heart?  After all, it’s working 24 hours a day, seven days a week without any breaks – totaling about 38 million beats a year.

Symptoms of a heart problem can be a bit vague, especially for women. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. What would you do if you felt short of breath, weak, shoulder pain or a sudden extreme feeling of fatigue?  Would you call 911 or instead lie down on the couch thinking you’re under too much stress?  In women, these are signs you could be having a heart attack.

Make sure you take cues from your body seriously. “Patients, especially women, need to realize something isn’t right,” says Sandy Waugh, RN in the Columbus Community Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Department and Emergency Department. “By telling your doctor, he or she can be more cautious and order tests if necessary.”

High blood pressure, smoking, obesity and diabetes increase a woman’s risk of developing heart disease.  Women who smoke, for instance, tend to have a heart attack 19 years earlier than non-smoking women.  But all hope is not lost.  It’s been proven that a woman’s heart responds better than a man’s to healthy lifestyle changes.

“Remember the ABCs of heart attack prevention as provided by the American Heart Association,” says Waugh. “Avoid tobacco, become more active, and choose good nutrition.”

Finding ways to relieve stress is also a good preventative measure. Activities such as yoga, hobbies, reading, and meditation are just a few ways to keep your stress levels down.

In the end it comes down to committing to a healthy attitude and lifestyle.  “Women tend to think it’s the men in their lives they need to worry about most.  But they need to remember to listen carefully. Your heart might be trying to tell you something,” added Waugh.

February is American Heart Month. To learn more about heart health and heart attack prevention, visit the American Heart Association website at www.heart.org.

Breakout:  The Keys to a Healthier Heart

• Stop smoking
• Get active
• Control cholesterol
• Manage blood pressure
• Find ways to relieve stress
• Lose weight
• Control blood sugar
• Eat better

Be sure to get an annual physical and review of your health history with your primary physician or practitioner.