Heart Disease and Women

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Prevention tied to belief

There is no denying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But preventing a disease means believing you are actually at risk -- and many women fail to see that.

"Women absolutely need to become more aware of their risk for heart disease," Goldberg says. "Whenever a woman comes to see me after a heart attack, I always ask when they last felt well. Often it was several months, even a year, before the attack."

Women are advised to be proactive with their doctor by addressing the risk factors and keeping tabs on cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, low blood levels of "good" cholesterol (high density lipoprotein, or HDL) are a stronger predictor of heart disease death in women than in men.

"Heart disease is the leading women's health care issue," says Goldberg. "If your symptoms aren't taken seriously, seek a second opinion."