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First lady Laura Bush tells our Dr. Tedd how she's helping to fight women's No. 1 killer

Heart disease kills more women each year than cancer. And, surprisingly, women's symptoms tend to differ from men's.

First lady Laura Bush is trying to raise awareness about this problem and is the ambassador for the Heart Truth campaign (hearttruth.gov).

Mrs. Bush wants every American woman to know the facts.

I'm amazed at the things my wife does. For me, multi-tasking means eating a sandwich while reading a book. For her, it means picking up the kids, thinking through the grocery list, planning supper and wondering whether the dogs got fed -- and that's just on her way home from the office!

Women are on the move, taking care of those around them. But it's important for our families that they also take care of themselves.

Unfortunately, there's a killer among women that many underestimate. Ladies, the No. 1 killer of women in America is not cancer -- it's heart disease.

First lady Laura Bush is trying to raise awareness about this problem and is the ambassador for the Heart Truth campaign (hearttruth.gov). She and I recently spoke by phone, and I found her very well informed about these matters of the heart.

How Laura Bush got involved
"In 2002, I heard from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute that they wanted to start the Heart Truth project," Mrs. Bush says. "They asked if I would join them in raising awareness about the risk of heart disease. I said 'yes' immediately because I didn't realize heart disease was the leading cause of death among American women. I just assumed, as I think many women do, that cancer was the leading cause of death. Because I am pretty educated on health topics, I knew that if I didn't know this, a lot of others wouldn't either."

A "red alert" for health
The symbol of the Heart Truth campaign is a red dress -- sounding a "red alert" for women to take care of their health. The fashion industry is on board. Each February, which is American Heart Month, designers create a Red Dress Collection as part of New York's Fashion Week. Later, an exhibit of the dresses travels throughout the country to raise awareness of heart disease. Mrs. Bush travels in support of the message, too.

"After one of the first events I did, in Kansas City, Mo., I was contacted by a woman named Joyce Cullen," Mrs. Bush remembers. "She had seen me on television, and, in listening to my report of the symptoms of heart disease, she determined she was having heart trouble. Although she had visited with her doctor a few days earlier about her symptoms and was told she was fine, she had her husband take her to the emergency room, where she was found to have heart disease and received the appropriate care. Joyce now is a heart-disease survivor who speaks to minority women's groups in Missouri. This is precisely why this effort is so important."

The Red Dress - the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. This special Anniversary Edition Red Dress Pin celebrates 5 years of this landmark campaign.

The campaign is working
The campaign seems to be making a difference. According to hearttruth.gov, in 2000, only 34% of women were aware that heart disease was the No. 1 killer of American women. By 2006, that had increased to 57%. Despite the gains, the campaign remains in full swing: "We want women not only to understand that it's a killer, but also that the 'classic' sign of heart attack [chest pain] may not be present," the first lady says. "Symptoms in women tend to be different than in men. Decreased energy, indigestion, pain in unusual areas such as the jaw or neck -- these should not be dismissed."

Ladies, assess your risk. Know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar. These are risks that lead to heart disease. You also should know your family history. Did a parent have heart disease at an early age? Do you have a brother or sister with heart disease? If so, your risk might be increased.

Reduce your risk
The good news is that if women make small changes in lifestyle, they can significantly reduce their risk. "A diet emphasizing less saturated fat and more fruits and vegetables, consistent exercise, dropping a few pounds -- these are some of the things we can do to help ourselves," Mrs. Bush points out. "Walking is a great exercise because just about everybody can do it just about anywhere. Even if you can only walk to the corner the first time you try, just keep doing it. It makes you feel good, and not just physically; it's emotionally uplifting, as well.

"What's also great is that when a mom changes her lifestyle, the entire family benefits -- meals get healthier, and other family members see her lead by example. I know what happens when a family member leads by example: I happen to be married to somebody in great physical shape."

The bottom line
The Heart Truth campaign is providing a great service. By becoming aware of the problem, understanding your own risks and making the necessary changes, you will improve your long-term health. Believe me, family members and friends love and need you more than you know, so take care of yourself. To learn more about the Heart Truth campaign, go to hearttruth.gov.

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Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president of the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, writes HealthSmart every week.

USA WEEKEND Contributing Editor Dr. Tedd Mitchell serves on the President's Council for Physical Fitness.

Cover and cover story photographs of Laura Bush: Martin Simon for USA WEEKEND