In recognition of Heart Health Month, it’s a good time to take stock of what you’re doing to help ensure a healthy heart as you age. Heart disease remains the number one killer in our country and in women, a diagnosis of heart disease means you’re more likely to die than a man with the same diagnosis. Some of that heightened risk of heart disease in women may be due to hormonal changes through menopause, or other factors beyond your control, but much may be due to behaviors you can control, such as smoking, diet or exercise.

Women often don’t realize that they are more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer, and thus may not pay attention to, or even be aware of, factors that put them at risk or symptoms that may indicate a heart attack is imminent. What signs should women be on the lookout for? Other than the obvious chest pain, which both men and women experience (but may not be present in women), there are all sorts of more subtle signs of a heart attack in women, including heartburn, indigestion, left arm pain or nausea and vomiting. Since time is of the essence when a heart attack occurs, it’s critical that women understand these early warning signs.

Better than recognize the signs, what can women do to keep their hearts healthy in the first place? Over at Women’s Voices For Change cardiologist Dr. Kirsten Healy has ten essential suggestions for you. And a recent study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology underscored the benefit of exercise, and especially walking, for older women to lower their risk of heart failure. So take heart- there’s much that women can do to keep their hearts healthy. For more facts, figures and info about women and heart health, click here.