In recent years, significant progress has been made in increasing awareness
that heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States.
Unfortunately, many women still fail to make the connection between heart
disease risk factors and their personal risk of developing the disease.
To help increase awareness of this health risk, the Southeast Georgia Health
System Cardiopulmonary Services department invites the community to wear
red on National Wear Red Day®, Friday, Feb. 5. Additionally, they
urge everyone to schedule a prevention appointment to review overall health,
including blood pressure and cholesterol screens, and evaluate early stages
of heart disease, stroke risks and other cardiovascular illnesses.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke cause
one in three deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman
every 80 seconds. Thankfully, through education, awareness and lifestyle
changes, about 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events are preventable.
In 2003, the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and
Blood Institute launched the “Go Red for Women” campaign to
bring awareness to a disease that was claiming the lives of nearly 500,000
American women each year. That year, National Wear Red Day was born. Held
annually on the first Friday in February, National Wear Red Day aims to
bring awareness to cardiovascular risks and remind women of ways to live
longer, healthier lives.
To find a health care provider, visit sghs.org, or call toll-free 855-ASK-SGHS
(855-275-7447).