Call it turn about being fair play or pay back but guys need to man up and take an active role in women’s heart health. Decades of research have shown that men in committed relationships are happier, healthier and live longer lives. This may be because the women that love them are health nags.

Women are generally the caregivers in any relationship. They work hard to keep their loved ones, including the men in their lives, healthy. Women push men into seeing doctors when there is a problem. Women are often the ones to press the men in their lives into following doctors’ advice and adopting healthier lifestyles.

That same research generally shows women in committed relationships fare no better than their single sisters in health and longevity. Worse yet, women are starting to catch up to men in the numbers of each sex devastated by disease – especially heart disease.

For centuries, heart disease has been a disease affecting men in far greater numbers than women. Women had natural protection from hormones and from differing life styles. Research and health studies were done on men with an erroneous presumption that results would apply equally to both men and women.

Women, however, are not small men. Women may have different risk factors and need different treatments. When it comes to heart disease, women may have entirely different symptoms than men.

Women do share one thing equally with men. Heart disease is the number one killer for both American men and women. Every 25 seconds an American has some form of cardiac or coronary event.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Americans can’t help but think about the ones they love. Men need to make this the year they show they really care about their women’s hearts.

Because the symptoms of heart attack in women can differ greatly from those in men and from woman to woman, many women are dying because they do not get help soon enough. If women, and the men that love them, know and recognize the more unique symptoms women may experience when having a cardiac attack, more women’s lives can be saved.

Heart attack symptoms in women can (but may not) include chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. While this discomfort can take the common form described as “an elephant on the chest”, it can also be less dramatic such as pressure, pain, a feeling of fullness or a squeezing sensation. The discomfort (in all listed variations) can spread to include discomfort on one or both sides of the body in the arms, back, neck, jaw or even the stomach.

The less common and sometimes vague symptoms that may occur more frequently in women are sudden or unexplained fatigue, weakness or dizziness. Victims may have indigestion or pain that feels like gas. They may suffer nausea or vomiting or even break into a sweat. There may be sharp pain between the shoulder blades. Women often report a sense of impending doom.

Women are more likely to suffer anxiety. They may have blackouts. Edema may occur – a swelling usually in legs or feet. They may feel that their heart is beating too rapidly or fluttering. They may complain of palpitations in the heart or chest.

If you experience any of the symptoms or if a woman you love is experiencing these symptoms, dial 9-1-1. Getting help quickly is crucial to survival.

Men and women may have different reasons for not getting help in an emergency – like a cardiac event – but the outcome is the same. People suffer permanent disability and, all too often, they die unnecessarily.

Men, this is where you need to get a clue. Do not ask someone to drive you to the hospital when you are experiencing symptoms of heat trouble. Do not drive someone else to the emergency room when they are having a heart attack.

Emergency service personnel have both the training and equipment needed to give appropriate aid and assistance. They are in contact with emergency room physicians who can give orders that will greatly increase a victim’s chance of surviving a heart attack.

Women are socialized to be polite and not make a fuss. Don’t be polite. Make a scene.

If you or the person with you is having symptoms of a heart attack, you need to draw attention to your plight. You need help. The most effective drugs and treatments need to be given within the first hour of the heart attack to do the most good.

Get smart about heart disease. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your doctor. Find out your risks. Find out what your doctor wants you to do if you think you are having a heart attack.

Consult with your doctor to see if you need further tests. Find out if you are already suffering from coronary heart disease. You may already have heart damage that makes you more susceptible to a life-threatening event.

Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. Take the steps you need to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise regularly. Eat healthy meals. Reduce stress. Get plenty of sleep.

Get regular medical checkups and address any problems you may have. Stop smoking.

Friday, February 4th is Go Red for Women Day. American men and women are encouraged to wear red to show their support for more research into heart disease in women and in finding ways to prevent death and disability in women from cardiovascular disease. To become part of the fight to keep women alive, go to www.goredforwomen.org

Women’s heart disease is not just about women. It is about men, too. It is about fathers, brothers, husbands, sons and the women they love. It is about mothers, sisters and daughters. It is about girlfriends.

If you are a woman, get heart healthy. If you love a women, encourage and support her heart health – and your own.

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2011 Go Red for Women Index