Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Knowing the risks and how to identify symptoms of a heart attack, which can be different for women than men, can save your life. For women, age becomes a risk factor at 55. While certain risk factors, such as age and family history of early heart disease, can’t be changed, it is important to realize that you do have control over many others. Some of these include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, physical inactivity and diabetes.

Samuel Butman, M.D., is an interventional cardiologist and the medical director of Cardiovascular Clinical Research at the Heart & Vascular Center of Northern Arizona. In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Butman is involved in clinical trials aimed at bringing new medications, procedures and technology to Northern Arizona.