When it comes to women and heart disease, truth is often hidden by fiction, according to Dr. Molly Szerlip, a cardiologist with MCG Cardiovascular Center.

Test your heart smarts with the following myths and truths about heart disease.

MYTH: Breast cancer is the No. 1 killer of women.

TRUTH: Breast cancer might seem more of a women's disease, but in fact, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, with more than 500,000 dying every year from heart disease, stroke and other heart-related conditions. Yet only 8 percent of women believe heart disease is a major concern.

MYTH: Women and men experience the same symptoms when having a heart attack.

TRUTH: Common signs of heart attack in men include pain, squeezing or pressure in the chest, profuse sweating, pain or numbness in the left arm, fatigue, feelings of indigestion or heartburn, or nausea and vomiting. Signs that might appear more often in women or the elderly include:

- Weakness and rapid heartbeat accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, profuse sweating, pain in the arms and dizziness or fainting

- Chest pain more often described as aching, tightness or pressure, rather than pain

- Extreme fatigue after physical activity or stress, rather than chest pain (usually experienced by men)

- Nausea and pain high in the chest or back

- Unexplained fatigue and trouble sleeping (sometimes experienced up to a month before a heart attack)

- Shortness of breath without symptoms of chest pain

Women at risk for heart disease should seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of these signs and symptoms.

MYTH: Heart disease can be cured by surgery, so why worry so much about it?

TRUTH: While it's true that many advances have taken place in the treatment of heart disease, it is not cured by surgery or other therapies. Once you have it, you always have it. And even after treatment, heart disease can be quite debilitating, affecting your ability to do the things you used to do. In every case, prevention is truly the best cure.

MYTH: Hormone replacement therapy reduces risk of heart disease.

TRUTH: While the therapy does reduce the symptoms of menopause and reduces risk of osteoporosis, recent studies have found that it actually increases risk of heart disease. If you are currently on hormone replacement therapy and at risk for heart disease, talk to your doctor about your options, and whether you should stop.

MYTH: Lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of heart disease.

TRUTH: Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising and eating a well-balanced diet, do help reduce risk of heart disease. But don't fall into the trap of thinking that it's OK if you exercise and eat right but still smoke. Risk is still risk, so protect yourself by taking control of as many risk factors as you can. Other recommendations include getting regular checkups, controlling diabetes and high blood pressure and knowing the warning signs of a heart attack.

Source: Dr. Molly Szerlip, cardiologist with MCG Cardiovascular Center