(IOWA)? February is American Heart Month, drawing attention to heart disease, America's No. 1 killer, and the strides being taken through research and education to raise awareness of risk factors and to decrease death rates. Appropriately kicked off on National Wear Red Day (Feb. 5, 2010), the American Heart Association and its Go Red For Women movement urge everyone to support the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red that day.
On National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, thousands of people, employees at more than 10,000 companies, national and local news anchors and talk-show hosts across the country will wear red to support the cause. Men and women across the state of Iowa are also encouraged to show their support by wearing red on Feb. 5. The red dress and the color red symbolize one's support in the fight against heart disease.
Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's promise to save women's lives. Too many women die each year because they are unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. One in three women dies of this largely preventable disease - that's almost one woman every minute. This year, Go Red is asking women to bring a voice to this silent killer: SPEAK UP TO SAVE LIVES.
WHY SPEAK UP?
Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 450,000 women each year, about one every minute.
More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
Heart disease is largely preventable. In fact, 80 percent of cardiac events in women may be prevented if women make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking.
Only 1 in 5 women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat and that's why the communities in Iowa are trying to educate women by "Going Red" on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010.
Research shows that women who "Go Red" are more likely to make healthy choices. For example:
More than one-third have lost weight.
Nearly 55 percent have increased their exercise.
Six out of ten have changed their diets.
More than 40 percent have checked their cholesterol levels.
One third have talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.
Women and men interested in "going red" on Friday, Feb. 5th and joining the Go Red For Women movement should visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.
February has been celebrated as American Heart Month since 1963 to urge Americans to join the battle against heart disease. A presidential proclamation pays tribute to the researchers, physicians, other public health education professionals as well as volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating, and researching heart disease. The observation also recognizes the critical importance of developing tools that will increase survival rates from heart attacks and cardiac arrest. President George W. Bush entered his proclamation on Feb. 1, 2002, and the message continues to ring true today.
For more information about American Heart Month or National Wear Red Day please contact Ciara O'Brien Murray, communications director at (913) 652-1966 or Ciara.Murray@heart.org.
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