Surveys show fewer than one in 10 women perceive heart disease as their greatest health threat. But it's the nation's number one killer, and women are its prime target.

Heart attacks often feel different to a woman than to a man. Women are more likely than men to have "silent" or unrecognized heart attacks (myocardial infarction). Not all heart attacks begin with sudden, crushing chest pain, the way they are often shown in the movies and on TV.

For many women, a heart attack may feel like a strange discomfort in the back or some other easily ignored sign, instead of crushing chest pain.

Know your triggers for wanting a cigarette and figure out a plan to deal with them.

In many cases, the progression to high blood pressure occurs within four years of being diagnosed with prehypertension.