Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., and includes a number of conditions affecting the heart: congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease, and heart attack, among others. If you don't know the symptoms, you could be at risk and not even know it.

There are several preventative steps that people can take to lower their risk of heart disease. That includes quitting smoking, improving their cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising.

With so many factors to consider, Carson Tahoe suggests that the best plan is to talk to your doctor for a better assessment of your heart health.

Don't ignore chest pain. Acting in time could save your life.

Look for these warning signs: chest discomfort, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, or other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. If you're experiencing any of these, dial 9-1-1 immediately.

Check out these online Interactive tools:

Estimate Your Heart Attack Risk:
This risk assessment tool predicts a personís chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. This tool is designed for adults aged 20 and older who do not have heart disease or diabetes and will require a simple registration step.
Click here for more information. http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=pub

Ladies, Take the Go Red Heart CheckUp:
Just visit the official Go Red web site and click on 'Take Action' to take the Go Red Heart CheckUp. It's there to help women of all ages and backgrounds get the facts they need to partner with their doctors and make smart decisions about their health.
Click here for more information. www.goredforwomen.org