February is Heart Health Month, and doctors at NYU Langone Health are educating people on how to prevent heart disease.

Dr. Shaline Rao, the cardiology division chief, says everyone should be aware of their blood pressure, cholesterol and family history so they can minimize risk.

She also says people often don’t seek care unless they are experiencing heart attack symptoms. However, heart disease is the number one killer for women, and Dr. Rao says their symptoms can be very different than men’s.

“It doesn't always come as chest pain or left arm pain, but it can be an aching sensation or an anxiety-type feeling or indigestion,” Dr. Rao said. “And those are so easy for someone to give any other reason to besides heart disease. So, it's really important that we keep an open mind to what that can look like.”

Patient and nurse Nancy Pisani says her grandfather had three heart attacks, so she comes in often for checkups.

“You need your heart,” Pisani said. “That's the most important organ in your body. And getting that treated and taken care of is hugely important.”

Friday is National Wear Red Day, a way to raise awareness and fight against heart disease.