Most people associate a heart attack with chest pain, but for women, symptoms can differ from those of men and often go unnoticed or ignored.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, warning signs include sharp pain in the upper body (like the jaw or neck), shortness of breath, cold sweat, unexplained fatigue, dizziness and nausea.

Dr. Brooks Mirrer, from Woodhull Hospital's cardiology department, says there are ways to combat heart disease, among them quitting smoking, exercise, eating healthy and losing weight.