Heart disease kills more women, young and old, than cancer. Yet for most, it’s avoidable with a healthier lifestyle.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and each year more women than men die from heart and cardiovascular disease without ever realizing they are at risk.

"After having a heart attack, a woman's chance of not surviving the first year or having another heart attack is greater than a man's," says University of Alabama at Birmingham cardiologist Alan Gertler, M.D. Preventing a heart attack, he says, is a critical objective.

Gertler says all women are at risk for heart disease, and the risk rises substantially as they age. "The incidence of heart disease among women overtakes men when they reach their late 50s, usually about five to 10 years after menopause," he says.

Gertler says one reason could be that biological changes tied to menopause may cause a dip in good cholesterol, predisposing them to clogged arteries. And though hormone-replacement therapy can reduce the symptoms of menopause, he says studies have produced differing results about whether or not it is beneficial for a woman's heart.

This candy-centric holiday can still be enjoyed by all who observe it — but in a way that makes the heart much happier.

UAB researchers and EMS providers are working to improve cardiac survival rates in Alabama. While still low, the rate has doubled since the effort began.

Limiting sodas and sports drinks to two a week, eating more fish and cutting back on salt are all good ways to eat for a healthy heart.

Heart disease kills more women, young and old, than cancer. Yet for most, it’s avoidable with a healthier lifestyle.

Youth and sex are highly celebrated in popular culture. But the notion that old age is sexless is changing as the Baby Boom generation ages.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and each year more women than men die from heart and cardiovascular disease without ever realizing they are at risk.

Valentine's Day is upon us, bringing with it flowers, chocolate and many romantic sentiments. But if a couple is not feeling particularly amorous, the annual holiday celebrating love and affection may not be appealing.

"Keeping the love in a relationship is about understanding who the other partner is and working extremely hard to keep the lines of communication open," says Josh Klapow, Ph.D., a psychologist and associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

reporting that an average of 47.9 percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce, it may be time to start talking.

"Very often it's the little things, the daily hassles and decisions that couples need to make that lead to bigger problems; learning to make decisions together is critical for the survival of your relationship," Klapow says.

Klapow recommends these five SMART steps for making decisions together:

• Set a specific goal

"What do each of you want?  Make sure you are very specific. Eating dinner out is not a specific goal. Going to a restaurant where you can get a steak, your partner can get grilled shrimp and you both can relax in a quiet booth is specific. The more specific you are the better."