By Emily Miller
Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death for American women – followed by cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease and Alzheimer’s Disease, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In fact, 1 in 4 women die from heart disease in the United States with over 8 million women worldwide dying from heart-related conditions every year. The good news is that this can be changed because 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.
Heart disease – also referred to as coronary heart disease – occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened and narrowed due to a buildup of plaque on the arteries’ inner walls.
As plaque continues to build up in the arteries, blood flow to the heart is reduced. Heart disease can eventually lead to a heart attack, which happens when an artery becomes totally blocked with plaque, preventing vital oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart.
Due to these staggering statistics, the month of February is dedicated to bringing awareness, encouraging action, and saving the lives of the millions of women who are suffering from heart-related conditions.
The American Heart Association – the nation’s oldest, largest voluntary organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke – sponsors a health campaign every year called “Go Red for Women“, designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health.
The campaign initially launched in 2010 after the AHA noticed a deadly trend among American women, as the number of heart-related deaths continued to increase every year. To help reverse this trend, the AHA set a strategic goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20 percent while improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent by the year 2020.
The color red was symbolically chosen because it is the color of blood and represents vitality, strength and power. As a result, it is a powerful representation of healthy hearts.
However, Go Red for Women is about much more than just wearing red during the month of February; it’s about making a change.
Here are a few ways you can make a change today by using the acronym “Go Red”:
· Get Your Numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels during your annual check-up.
· Own Your Lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, be physically active and adopt a healthy eating habit.
· Raise Your Voice: Advocate for more women-related research and education.
· Educate Your Family: Make healthy food choices for you and your family by learning the importance of staying active.
· Donate: Show your support with a donation and/or money.
Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and stroke and fewer women than men survive their first heart attack. Women and men of all ethnicities and backgrounds are affect by heart disease and stroke. To learn more about heart disease and strokes, the AHA has provided a fact sheet where individuals can better understand how this health condition affects society. The fact sheet can be found here.
Since its creation, the Go Red for Women campaign has helped the lives of millions of women (and men) lead a better, healthier life. Not only are these individuals bettering their own lives but they are also advocating, fundraising and sharing their stories to help make a bigger impact in their communities.
Due to previous and current efforts of the Go Red for Women campaign, nearly 300 fewer women in the United States die from heart disease and stroke each day. In fact, death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.
Based on research by the AHA, a women who Goes Red:
· follows an exercise routine;
· eats a healthier diet;
· visits her doctor for important tests;
· and influences others by talking about heart health.
Funds generated by Go Red for Women activities are used to provide educational programs, advance women’s knowledge about the disease, provide tools to help women reduce their risk and fund scientific research.
For example, the AHA created interactive tools that women can use to gauge their risk for heart disease called Go Red Heart CheckUp. This has already engaged more than 2 million women to learn their risk of heart disease.
Begin your journey to better heart health by celebrating National Wear Red Day this Friday, Feb. 6, 2015.
