Go Red for Women!

Did you know that, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the number one killer of women, taking the life of one in three women each year?  Heart problems are often associated with men, and as a result, women’s heart disease is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.  The symptoms of women’s heart disease can even differ from men’s.  According to the AHA, “as with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.  But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.”

 February 4^th is “Go Red for Women” day in Support of the AHA’s fight against women’s heart disease.  Individuals across the country raise awareness of this issue by wearing red on February 4^th.  You can find information on the initiative at: http://www.goredforwomen.org/

If you’re wondering what you can do to make sure you have a healthy heart, a balanced diet, exercise, and quitting smoking are a great place to start.  Giving up smoking also has the possible bonus of lowering your health insurance rates!  GoRedforWomen.com even has a free twelve week program online to improve your overall health.  Check it out at http://www.goredforwomen.org/betteru/index.aspx.

Join us in the fight against women’s heart disease by wearing red this Friday, February 4^th.  Here’s to a healthy heart!