Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of women? According to the American Heart Association, there are an estimated 43 million women in the United States affected by heart disease. Ninety perfect of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. These staggering statistics may alarm you; Americans often picture men as being greater impacted by heart disease. Moreover, women are often caretakers of the family so they are less likely to dial 9-1-1 when experiencing possible heart attack symptoms. Fortunately, the American Heart Association and countless other health organizations are raising awareness on this terrible disease – and you can be a participant.
In 2003, the American Heart Association started National Wear Red Day®, which is always the first Friday of February. One year later, the Association created Go Red for Women, which quickly turned into a movement. These health initiatives are in full swing this year. There is useful information at goredforwomen.org and facebook.com/GoRedforWomen. Since January 7, users have been posting pictures on these sites showing their red spirit. Over the past 10 years, the Go Red for Women movement has saved more than 627,000 women’s lives. February is the perfect time for you to get healthy, too.
Philadelphia is going red in its one unique way. On Friday, February 1, show your support for Go Red for Women by watching the 76ers take on the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m. Log on to www.sixers.com/promocode and enter GORED. $10 from each ticket will be donated to the American Heart Association. For more information on the American Heart Association, visit heart.org.
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