Birmingham, AL (WIAT) -- More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined, but it is the silent killer.  It isn't as easy to see because many are not aware of the symptoms and ways they can prevent it from impacting their lives.

Wanda Dickens is a stroke survivor from the Birmingham area.  Stroke and heart disease go hand in hand because they share many of the same risk factors.  If you have heart disease you have twice the risk of stroke than those who don't have the disease.  Wanda didn't have heart disease, but she did have some symptoms.  She ignored the symptoms because she thought this would never happen  to her.  Hear her complete story in this interview with Wake Up Alabama's Kalee Dionne.