This Friday, the first Friday in February, is the annual National Wear Red Day to help spread the word that heart disease is the number one killer of women.
Heart disease as a cause of death in women rose from 34 percent in 2000 to 69 percent in 2009. Although significant progress has been made in increasing awareness among women that heart disease is their #1 killer, most fail to make the connection between its risk factors and their personal risk of developing heart disease.
Heart disease risk begins to rise in middle age, especially after menopause. Heart disease develops over time and can start at a young age, even in the teen years. It's never too early, or too late, to take action to prevent and control the risk factors for heart disease.
There are two types of risk factors for heart disease: those that we can change and those that are part of who we are, such as heredity and age. Factors we can change include smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, being overweight, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has information about how you can lower your risk for heart disease.
In the past ad campaigns were focused on men because men tend to develop heart disease at younger ages than women. Wear red this Friday and help raise awareness about the importance of heart-healthy living for women. Celebrate the Go Red movement for raising awareness of women and heart disease at the annual Go Red Luncheon.
2010 Go Red For Women Luncheon
04/30/2010
10:30am -- 1:30pm
Location:
The Fairmont Hotel
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
For more information contact:
Jill Diaforli, Vice President, Business Development-Social Market
415-228-8431
Jill.Diaforli@heart.org
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