February is all about love. It’s also American Heart Month. It’s a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, women and heart disease also pair up well. But, that’s not the kind of love connection most of us have in mind.

Even for a cardiologist, identifying women with heart disease can be tough. Just ask Rajya L. Malay, MD, opens new tab, who treats women with heart disease every day. Here’s what every woman needs to know.

• Women often don’t show symptoms of heart disease until much later than men ... almost 10 years later.
• By the time symptoms appear, women have developed other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and weight gain.
• Women’s risk for heart disease increases as their estrogen levels decrease, which is after menopause.
• Unmanaged diabetes has no symptoms. That’s why it’s called a silent killer.
• High blood pressure is not a normal part of life. It’s a sign of a potentially deadly heart problem.
• Even the smallest change in your health could be significant. Tell your doctor.
• Report symptoms of heart disease as soon as possible.
• Ignoring your health makes proper diagnosis and treatment more challenging.
• A cardiac event isn’t a once-and-done event. If you’ve had one heart attack, you’re at a higher risk for a second one. Keep your cardiologist appointments.

Signs and Symptoms

While chest pain is still the most common symptom of a cardiac event, women can also experience:

• Dizziness
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Jaw pain
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Shoulder or back pain
• Sudden fatigue

Make an appointment to test your ticker or meet with one of our Meritas Health cardiologists, opens new tab.