ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- February is American Heart Month, an important time to take action to protect yourself against heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is important to know the symptoms and risk factors so you can live a healthier lifestyle.

The most common symptoms of cardiovascular disease are chest tightness and chest pressure. While men and women can both be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease at similar rates, the timing is different.

"Coronary disease, in general, tends to be delayed in women, but there's a catchup that occurs so men and women have very similar rates of coronary disease, they're just delayed age-wise," said Dr. Timothy Williams, a cardiologist with Cardiovascular Associates of Charlottesville.

There are a number of risk factors, including age, diet and level of exercise, but Williams says quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do.

"Smoking is the biggest risk factor. When we mean smoking, typically we mean tobacco, and marijuana, and any inhaled product really increases the risks," he said.

He says it does not take much for those risks to increase.

"The most important thing to do is to stop smoking, and studies would say even one or two cigarettes increases, you know you get 90 percent risk of a heart attack by just smoking a few cigarettes and it's because it makes the blood clot, so even a small amount has a huge effect," Williams said.

He also recommends a plant-based diet and exercising. However. he says to not jump into things quickly when you exercise.

"Maybe start really slow. What I tell my patients a lot of times is if it's swimming, dip your toe into the pool, wade in, and then go for a swim, and so start walking rather than running, and build up to it," Williams said.

He also says to listen to your body.

"If you think of your heart as an engine, and your heart's arteries as the fuel injection line, when you step on the gas if you get a symptom, no matter what it is, it's concerning," he said.

To learn more about vascular care, click here.