At the Heart of Health

Are you seeing red this month? You should be, and not just because of Valentine’s Day. From fire-engine wowza to sophisticated scarlet, shades of red dresses are showing up in grocery stores, fashion runways, and work places everywhere in February as a not-so-subtle symbol of empowerment, awareness, and prevention of heart disease in women.

The Go Red for Women campaign, created by the American Heart Association, is a memorable icon to remind us all that heart disease is the number one killer among women in the United States. Typically thought of as a man’s disease, heart disease kills more women than all types of cancers combined.  

Heart disease is more likely to be misdiagnosed in women in part because the symptoms may be different for women than in men. Forty percent of men and thirty percent of women experience ‘typical’ symptoms of a heart attack like chest pains and left arm pain. But women will more often experience ‘atypical’ symptoms like shortness of breath, indigestion, back pain, jaw pain, and fatigue.

Education is key in preventing heart disease. The risk factors may be silent like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or diabetic inclinations, smoking, family history, stress, and obesity. In addition to knowing your risks, it’s imperative to know that if you think you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1. Every minute is heart muscle lost.

   

Once a woman is diagnosed with heart disease, it’s so important to follow through with care.  Women

are caregivers by nature. They take care of the kids, grand kids, the hubby, and even aging parents. They make themselves a last minute priority.  So let the red you see this month be a reminder to love yourself first. It could save your life!

Heart disease in women is definitely different than in men, but also, heart disease can attack women differently, depending on their race.

General statistics

• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
• Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
• An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.
• Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
• Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.
• The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women and men, and are often misunderstood.
• While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
• Only 1 in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
• Women comprise only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies. 

Hispanic women

• Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women.
• Only 1 in 3 Hispanic women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer.
• Only 3 in 10 Hispanic women say they have been informed that they are at a higher risk.
• Only 1 in 4 Hispanic women is aware of treatment options.
• Hispanic women are more likely to take preventive actions for their family when it comes to heart health. 

African American women

• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for African American women.
• Of African American women ages 20 and older, 46.9 percent have cardiovascular disease
• Only 1 in 5 African American women thinks she is personally at risk.
• Nearly 50 percent of African American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
• Only 43 percent of African American women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk. 

Movement Works is proud to partner with the Myrtle Beach branch of the American Heart Association to bring awareness to this silent killer of women.  We’ll be taking donations for the entire month of February. Make a donation and choose a red, silver, or gold heart to put your name on to proudly show your support in preventing this disease!  Or buy a bracelet to wear to remind all the women in your life to get screened!