American Heart Month

This past Friday, February 1st, 2019 was National Wear Red Day which is part of American Heart Month. It’s aimed at raising awareness of heart disease, the leading killer of women. Heart disease claims the lives of 1 in 3 American women, killing more than 400,000 each year — more than the deaths from cancer, accidents, and diabetes in women combined. It is estimated that 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease unfortunately only one in five women believe heart disease is a great health problem. Is it due to the lack of education about heart disease or is it still being known as a Man’s Disease?

American Heart Association states that estimates that the Go Red for Women campaign has already raised awareness and saved more than 627,000 lives since its inception but there is still a grim statistical side on women and heart disease.

American Heart Association stats are:

One woman dies from heart disease each minute.
Far from being solely a “man’s disease,” female deaths from heart disease have exceeded the death toll for men since 1984.
One in every 31 women will die from breast cancer, while one in every three women will lose their life to heart disease.
Nine out of 10 women now have one or more risk factors for heart disease.
By 2035, more than 130 million adults, or 45.1% of the US population, are projected to have some form of CVD. Total costs of CVD are expected to reach $1.1 trillion in 2035, with direct medical costs projected to reach $748.7 billion and indirect costs estimated to reach $368 billion.

Even though these statistics are not positive there are things every woman can do to reduce her risk for heart trouble. One way is to GO RED.

G: GET YOUR NUMBERS

Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.

O: OWN YOUR LIFESTYLE

Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy. It’s up to you. No one can do it for you.

R: REALIZE YOUR RISK

We think it won’t happen to us, but heart disease kills one of three women.

E: EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY

Make healthy food choices for you and your family. Teach your kids the importance of staying active.

D: DON’T BE SILENT

Tell every woman you know that heart disease is our No. 1 killer. Raise your voice here at www.GoRedForWomen.org.

Finally second thing to reduce the risk of heart disease is to use the "Life's Simple 7". You may ask what are the "Life's Simple 7"? CBS News medical contributor Dr. Tara Narula, a cardiologist and spokesperson for the American Heart Association explains that the Life's Simple 7 are seven things you can do to really turn around and reverse your risk of heart disease. These steps include Manage Blood Pressure, Control Cholesterol, Reduce Blood Sugar, Get Active, Eat Better, Lose Weight and Stop Smoking.