This February, Monroe Clinic has invited keynote speaker, Tracey Conway, to tell her story. What are some of Tracey's thoughts on taking control of heart health?

Emmy-winning actress Tracey Conway was 38 when she was taping a television comedy show and collapsed from Sudden Cardiac Arrest in front of her audience. Almost 20 minutes passed before paramedics were able to restore her heartbeat. Tracey recovered and has gone on to speak about her life-altering experience and inspire others with her story. Her audience has ranged from maximum-security inmates to Oprah Winfrey. Here are a few of Tracey's answers to questions about her ideas on promoting a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Q: What are some of the key points you try to get through to your audience when you speak?

Conway: I emphasize the difference between heart attacks and cardiac arrest, because they're not the same thing. People often come up to me and say, "Wow, I didn't realize that." The conditions are definitely related. Heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, but if you start with cardiac arrest caused by Ventricular Fibrillation, like I did, it needs to be treated very differently.

I also try to explain how having a "Me, first!" attitude can be very generous and not selfish. It doesn't mean shoving somebody out of the way when you're in a line. It means that if you can't take care of yourself, you can't be there for others. For instance, on an airplane you're instructed to put on your oxygen mask first before you help the people around you. It's the same principle with caring for your health.

Another unique element of my talk is cluing folks in on a few preparation secrets if you're invited to be on the Oprah show. You can learn from my mistakes!

Q. What are some of the biggest barriers people-women especially-have to overcome when taking control of their heart health?

Conway: This advice is not especially original, but I truly believe people have to overcome feeling guilty for taking time to care for themselves. Maybe it's not even doing something uber-healthy. If you need 30 minutes to get your nails done, that is a healthy thing. There are all sorts of ways to nurture yourself. Going to a silly movie and laughing for two hours is extremely good for you! Just skip the fake-butter movie popcorn.

People also need to learn to "speak up" with their healthcare providers. It's vital to see your relationship with your doctor or nurse practitioner as a partnership, and you need to put in the time to educate yourself.

Another barrier is the denial of symptoms. Perhaps you feel a sharp chest twinge and say to yourself, "It's probably only heartburn." Get it checked - right away! Much better (and what a relief) to find out it really is heartburn and not a mild heart attack. If you deny your early symptoms, you're setting yourself up for something more serious in the future.

Another health hurdle is finding an exercise program that appeals to you and then staying with it. Our heart is a muscle, we need to exercise it. Walking, video workouts, line dancing, trapeze-for-beginners - whatever! Try a variety until you find something that makes you smile and sweat a bit. Then try to do it at least three times a week.

Finally, we need to find a balance of tough self-love (no fair being a total slacker when it comes to a healthy life-style) and dropping the perfect body image. Don't beat yourself up because you don't have Angelina Jolie's or Brad Pitt's sleek physiques. You need to love yourself as you are right now, while recognizing you're worth the effort it takes to be the best, healthiest version of yourself.

Q. You certainly do not look the part of someone who'd suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. What are the non-obvious risk factors that put you in danger?

Conway: Genetics. Interestingly enough, neither of my parents had serious heart disease. They both died from different cancers. However, the combination of their genes together made for an arrhythmia and heart valve problem that my brother, one of my sisters and I all share. It certainly affected my likelihood of having cardiac arrest.

Also, there were the stresses of modern life. Stress can produce excessive adrenaline that can affect our heart negatively.

Then there are cigarettes. I've never been a smoker, but as an actress, I played characters who smoke. The night of my cardiac arrest, I inhaled about six cigarettes. Nicotine can elevate your blood pressure and speed up your heart rate. Just as smoking has long-term, serious effects, it can sometimes have short-term, very serious effects - in fact potentially fatal.

Q. What specific things would you suggest people do to take control of their health?

Conway: Learn your family health history. The earlier you find out, the better.

Find a primary care physician that you respect, are comfortable sharing your health truths with and, if possible, you can laugh with.

Determine your baseline health: for example, your current cholesterol levels and what your goal levels are. If you're a woman between the ages of 35 and 40, you should get a baseline mammogram. If you're a man over 50 (or 40 if you're at a higher risk), get a prostate screening.

Set reasonable goals then celebrate your victories - every little one along the way!

Laugh! A lot. It's great for your cardiovascular system, your stomach muscles and your spirit - one of the best workouts you'll ever have. The occasional cry is good, too.

Finally, if you experience 'odd' symptoms, get help right away! Don't wait for symptoms to worsen. If you're feeling heart symptoms, such as extreme fatigue and nausea or shortness of breath - call 911! Don't go take a shower, feed the dog, and then drive yourself to the hospital!