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National Go Red for Women day carries very personal meaning
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Today is National "Wear Red for Women Day", the American Heart Association's (AHA) national initiative to raise awareness of heart disease in women, and it is a designation that gives me great personal satisfaction.
Several years ago, when I was a freelance journalist, I learned that I'd been born with an atrial septal defect. In essence, that's a hole between the upper chambers of the heart. I was told I had to undergo open-heart surgery, the sooner the better. I was terrified. But, having no choice, I underwent the surgery. It was life transforming.
First, of course, I underwent the surgery. But, second, My experience inspired me to launch my medical writing and speaking career. In fact, my co-author, Dr. Fredric Pashkow and I, had one of the first books on the subject, "The Women's Heart Book." It was later made into a PBS television program. And then we wrote more books. Our goal was to help other women. But, in those days, there was virtually no awareness about heart disease, so I began writing books and speaking out on the topic, to help other women. Since authored or co-authored five books, and I travel around the county; anything I can do to help.
All that was rewarding, but what has been most rewarding is seeing everyone else jump on the bandwagon. Back then, The AHA didn't even collect statistics on heart disease in women, but now, they certainly do. There were few books on the topic. Research on heart disease in women was sketchy at best. Now, all this has changed.
Or has it?
Surveys show that, although awareness of heart disease in women has shot up over the past decade, it isn't quite where it needs to be. Women need to that they are not only at risk for heart disease, but that there are lots they can do to prevent it.
So, on this Wear Red for Women Day, it is impotant to wear red. But it's also important to do some healthy things for your heart.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Take a walk
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Get your blood pressure checked
- Call a friend and find out if she's had her blood pressure checked
- If you smoke, seriously consider quitting
- Buy some flowers to feed your soul
It's always said of women that we are "all heart." That's true, but it is up to us to protect the one we have.
Happy Wear Red for Women Day!
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