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" Believe it or not, some doctors still don&amp;#039;t realize how prevalent heart disease is in women. To be sure you&amp;#039;re receiving the appropriate precautionary treatment, educate yourself. By knowing what tests you need and what your symptoms mean, you and your MD can better explore the possibility of any looming problems. Read on to learn what you should know before heading in for your appointment.   1. Know what tests you need. If you&amp;#039;re over 45, have a family history of heart disease or have other risk factors like diabetes, your doctor should test your cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and blood sugar annually, says Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of New York University&amp;#039;s Women&amp;#039;s Heart Program. If you experience symptoms, your doctor may also recommend an EKG and/or a stress test.   2. Be specific. If you&amp;#039;re having any unusual symptoms\u2014 whether or not you think they&amp;#039;re heart-related\u2014be clear. &amp;quot;State when they started, what precipitated them, and what, if anything, made them stop,&amp;quot; explains Dr. Goldberg.   3. Get educated. Know what symptoms to watch out for so you can get help, says Malissa Wood, MD, codirector of the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center Corrigan Women&amp;#039;s Heart Health Program in Boston. Heart attack symptoms may include unusual shortness of breath, jaw pain, nausea, dizziness, back pain and upper abdominal discomfort. Stroke symptoms include sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg; sudden confusion; trouble speaking, seeing or walking; dizziness; and sudden, severe headache.   If you think you&amp;#039;re having a heart attack or stroke, call 911 (do not drive yourself to the hospital). "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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