As it turns out this is just as important for women as it is for men.
Marianne Lawrence was training to climb Mt. Everest when she felt shoulder pains.
"It was a very soft ache, and it was intermittent. And it was pretty logical that we all thought it was from an old skiing accident," she said.
But it wasn't.
Marianne went for tests, and got a shock - several heart arteries were almost blocked.
"I had two 90 per cent, and one 70 per cent blockage," she said.
Doctors implanted 4 stents to open the arteries, and Marianne later made her climb of Everest.
But many women aren't so lucky.
Women may have fewer cases of heart disease, but they are more likely to die from it.
"They often have more advanced disease when they finally come to the attention of the medical profession," said Dr. Paul Coady of Main Line Health.
Part of the reason are the more subtle symptoms women show - shoulder pain, jaw pain, back pain, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue.
Unlike men, they may not be brought on by physical activity.
There's also a lot doctors who don't understand heart disease in women, because women only make up about 25 percent of the volunteers in research studies.
Until we know more, Janice Faulkner, the mother of Sixers guard Lou Williams, says women have to take better care of their hearts.
And she's starting with her own.
"I've changed my diet tremendously, and as an African-American, we are good for fried food!" Faulkner said.
She admits its not easy, but it's a must.
"Because I've got seven grandchildren, I want to stay around a long time," said Janice.
Janice has been leading the charge with the Sixers, and the NBA Mothers organization to spread the message that to care for their loved ones, women need to care for themselves first.
