straight from the heart
In February 2004, the American Heart Association launched Go Red for Women — extending the effort
that began in 1997. Today, the association continues to play a leading role in educating women about
their risks for heart disease and providing them with tools to lead heart-healthy lives through the Go Red
for Women movement. This movement drives home to women the message that heart disease is their
leading cause of death … a fact most women still do not take to heart. In fact, heart disease is the No. 1
killer of women over the age of 25. It’s estimated that heart attack, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular
diseases claim the lives of more than 480,000 women each year — about a death a minute. That’s
more lives than the next five causes of death combined and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer,
including breast cancer. In San Antonio, approximately 1,574 women reportedly died of some form of
heart disease in 2005.
Awareness is only the first step in fighting a disease that can largely be prevented. The next step is joining
the movement at GoRedforWomen.org, where you can take the Go Red for Women Heart CheckUp, an
online tool that will assess your risk for heart disease and will provide you with next steps on how to take
action. You can also join the movement by wearing your red dress pin, your favorite red dress or red
blouse on February 2, National Go Red Day. We also welcome New Braunfels to the Go Red for Women
movement as it launches its first Go Red Luncheon on Feb. 2 at McKenna Healthlink. San Antonio
follows with the Go Red for Women Luncheon and Healthy Living Expo on May 11 at Sunset Station.
We hope you will join us for one of the two events and take up on an inspirational and informative
heart-healthy day.
Most importantly, during February, National Heart Month, we ask that you take a moment to close your
eyes and put your hand on your heart. Think about its beat — the power of your life in your hands —
how important your heart is. Experience the energy, and live the passion and power to band together
with your sister, your mother, an aunt, a cousin or a friend to collectively wipe out heart disease.
Love your heart, |
