straight from the heart
The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease, stroke and other
cardiovascular diseases, which kill over 870,000 Americans each year. That’s a life every 35 seconds. Furthermore,
cardiovascular disease claims over 460,000 female lives every year, causing one death per minute.
In 1997, the American Heart Association sparked a women and heart disease movement, when it launched its
groundbreaking “Take Wellness To Heart” awareness campaign by women for women. 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.
The Go Red For Women movement raises women’s awareness of their risk for heart disease and helps them learn —
and take action to reduce — their personal risk for heart disease.
In February 2004, the American Heart Association launched Go Red For Women – extending the effort that began
in 1997. The Go Red For Women 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. As we embark upon the fifth year, Go Red For
Women harnesses women’s energy, passion and power to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease.
Although heart disease is the most deadly of diseases, it also happens to be the most preventable. By taking simple
actions you can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease: Know your family history, eat right, exercise and see a
physician for a yearly exam.
After you finish reading this article, I urge you to take a moment, put your hand on your own heart . . . and make
your own promise to be heart healthy. Love your heart. Get involved. Take action. And help save lives.
Love your heart,
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