Smoking is a woman's number one risk factor for heart disease.
Smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as nonsmokers, and are more likely to die from an attack. Prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke may also be a risk factor, according to the American Heart Association. And if you take oral contraceptives or have diabetes in addition to smoking, your risk is further increased. Get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked. If test results are high, this problem can be controlled through diet, exercise, weight loss, and if necessary, medication.