Go Red for Women
2-2-2007

The American Heart Association is attempting to draw attention to the major problem of heart disease in women. Too often considered a male disease, more and more women are suffering from heart attacks and heart related ailments.

Here are some staggering statistics from the American Heart Association:

• Only 13 percent of women view heart disease as a health threat, even though it's women's No. 1 killer.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over 480,000 women a year, about one per minute.
• One in three adult females and males in the United States suffers from a form of CVD.
• CVD claims more lives than the next four most common causes of death combined.
• On average, an American dies of CVD every 35 seconds.
• Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 single killer of women over age 25.
• Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
• One in 2.6 female deaths are from CVD, compared with one in 30 from breast cancer.
• Heart disease rates in post-menopausal women are two to three times higher than in pre-menopausal women of the same age.
• Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death for American women, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability.
• Stroke kills more women than men. In 2003, females represented 61 percent of stroke deaths.

In order to call attention to these statistics The American Heart Association has devised Go Red for Women Day, Friday February 2nd. The movement began in 2004 and has grown in size and momentum since.

The easiest way to participate is to simply wear red on Friday, February 2. Call attention to yourself and when people ask you why you are wearing red be prepared to tell them.

In Cleveland there is a special 2007 Go Red For Women Breakfast "Rhapsody in Red" at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel from 7:00am -- 11:30am.

You can also participate by doing something positive for yourself and your loved ones. Have your heart checked. Have your cholesterol checked.

In fact, the American Heart Association suggests you know all of your numbers, such as: Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Blood Pressure and Fasting Glucose. Knowledge is power; once you know your numbers you can either fix or maintain them.

Learn more about Cleveland Women and Heart Disease (and see photos from previous events).

Join Go Red for Women (and get your free red dress pin)

Eat smart. Know your numbers. Exercise. And on Friday, February 2, Go Red For Women.