Submitted by The American Heart Association
You may have heard about the “Go Red For Women” initiative in the community. From a dedicated day when everyone is encouraged to wear red, to other outreach efforts, Central Illinois is engaged in “Go Red For Women.” Why? Because each year, one in three women die of heart disease and stroke and the association wants millions of women across America to take heart disease personally.
Would you be surprised to learn that up to 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes? That number is pretty surprising, isn’t it?
“Go Red For Women” started more than 10 years ago because the American Heart Association learned that more women were dying from heart disease than men. Now it’s the world’s largest network of women fighting to protect others from the dangers of heart disease. And it’s making a difference! More than 620,000 lives have been saved since the program has launched. But the fight is far from over.
- Heart disease and stroke combined kill more women than men.
- Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
- The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women and are often silent, hidden, or misunderstood.
- Only one out of five American women believe heart disease is her greatest threat.
- Women comprise only 24 percent of participants in heart-related studies.
- Women are less likely to call 911 when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack than if someone else were having a heart attack.
- The risk of strokes can increase with pregnancy and birth control pills.
Ways to Go Red:
Get Your Numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose. By knowing your numbers and tracking them over time, you can begin to understand what you can do to improve your health. If your blood pressure is high, for example, it increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
Own Your Lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, be physically active, and eat healthy. Smoking is one of our nation’s top causes of early death, but your lungs can begin to heal as soon as you quit. If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist — you’re at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. And you’re not alone! More than 2/3 of our American adult population is overweight, with 1/3 of us in the obese category.
Raise Your Voice: Advocate for more women-related research and education. Women comprise only 24 percent of participants in heart-related studies.
Educate Your Family: Make healthy food choices for you and your family. Teach your kids the importance of staying active. Cut out sugary drinks and reduce your salt intake.
Donate: Show your support with a donation of time to learn more about your health and that of your loved ones.
Women in the McLean County area can get involved with “Go Red For Women” through a variety of local programs offered by local sponsor OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. Call your health care provider and learn your health numbers. Try walking more than normal today even if it’s taking extra trips up a flight of stairs. And log on to www.GoRedForWomen.org to learn additional ways to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
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