February is undoubtably heart month for many reasons. But the one most important heart, too few people pay attention to until a crisis. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Yes, women. One in every 2.4 women dies of heart disease. Approximately 35 percent of heart attacks go unnoticed in women. Why you may ask? Possibly because women do not always take symptoms seriously and are not taking preventive measures. What can you do to improve your cardiovascular health? The following topics explore risk factors and preventive heart care options for women.

WHAT CAUSES CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE?

Major risk factors include genetics, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Some other factors that can contribute to heart disease include stress, obesity, and lack of exercise. The presence of risk factors does not guarantee that you will have heart problems, and the absence of risk factors does not guarantee that you will never get heart disease.

WHAT ARE SOME SIMPLE PREVENTATIVE TIPS?

Live a healthy lifestyle by incorporating exercise as a regular part of your daily activities. Just take a walk. Make it your goal to maintain an ideal body weight with a healthy diet and exercise. Start small, just start.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO IMPROVE MY HEART'S HEALTH?

Make an appointment with your physician to discuss your personal history and your health concerns. Your physician can recommend tests you can take to develop a healthy heart plan including recommendations for an appropriate diet and exercise program.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RISK FACTORS THAT I CAN CONTROL BY CHANGING MY BEHAVIOR?

Tobacco smoke is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Excessive drinking can contribute to obesity, high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, raise blood pressure, cause heart failure and lead to stroke. Another modifiable behavior is physical inactivity, which various studies have shown is a risk factor for heart disease and indirectly increases the risk of stroke. And, of course, it is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats.

WHAT SCREENINGS SHOULD I HAVE TO CHECK MY HEART HEALTH?

The following four screenings and measurements are a great starting point for understanding your current health condition: 1) blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), 2) height, weight and waist circumference, 3) total cholesterol and 4) fasting blood glucose (sugar). Based on the results, your physician can advise the appropriate changes to your diet and exercise regimen.