Wear Red for Women’s Heart Health

Friday, February 3, is National Wear Red Day. Put on your red shirt, your red sweater, or, if it’s casual Friday where you work, your red hoodie – but wear red! Friday is the day we call attention to women’s heart health.

Did you know? Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in women worldwide, causing 8.6 million deaths annually? In the United States, heart disease and stroke cause nearly twice as many deaths for women than those caused by all cancers combined, including breast cancer.

Did you know? Women’s Heart Disease is not as predictable as men’s.
Research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that women often experience new or different physical symptoms as long as a month or more before experiencing heart attacks. Surprisingly, fewer than 30% reported having chest pain or discomfort prior to their heart attacks, and 43% reported have no chest pain during any phase of the attack. According to NIH research, women's major symptoms prior to heart attack include unusual fatigue, sleep disturbance, shortness of breath, indigestion, and anxiety. Major symptoms during the heart attack include shortness of breath, weakness, unusual fatigue, cold sweat and dizziness.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1...Get to a hospital right away.

Learn More! Go to http://www.goredforwomen.org/index.aspx for lifestyle tips that can keep your heart healthy.