Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, but many don’t know it. Health experts say misdiagnosis and a lack of education are causing an alarming trend nationwide. “It is the leading health care threat,” said Dr. Noel Bairey Merz, the scientific adviser for the Women’s Health Alliance. “One out of two women in their lifetime will be impacted by cardiovascular disease. One in four will die of heart disease. It is much more prevalent, a larger health care threat than breast cancer, and we have effective treatment, so these are unnecessary deaths.” Merz spoke to KCRA 3 on Monday because February is American Heart Month.