February is American Heart Month; Kicks off on National Wear Red Day
Special to The Gazette
Monday, January 30, 2012
February is American Heart Month, drawing attention to heart disease, America’s No. 1 killer, and the strides being taken through research and education to raise awareness of risk factors and to decrease death rates. Appropriately kicks off on National Wear Red Day (Feb. 3), the American Heart Association and its Go Red For Women movement urge everyone to support the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red that day.
Go Red in Your Own Fashion
On National Wear Red Day, the American Heart Association is asking Kansas residents to help save women’s lives by elevating the issue of women and heart disease simply by wearing red. “Going Red” is as easy as putting on a red dress, a red scarf, a red tie or a red dress pin – just WEAR RED to show your support! The red dress and the color red symbolize one’s support for the fight against heart disease in women. It’s an easy, powerful way to speak up and show support to save women’s lives.
In its ongoing effort to elevate public awareness about heart disease, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement is sharing the truth about the No. 1 killer of women. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, heart disease is often silent, hidden and misunderstood. That’s why Go Red For Women is asking Kansas women to participate in the 9th Annual National Wear Red Day on Feb. 3 to make ending heart disease a reality.
WHY TAKE ACTION?
More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined.
While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 die of cardiovascular disease.
Currently, some eight million women in the U.S. are living with heart disease, yet only 1 in 6 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
Only slightly more than half of women are likely to call 911 if experiencing symptoms. And yet, 79 percent of women said that they would call 911 if someone else was having a heart attack.
Wear Red Day Photo Contest
Whether an individual or a group of colleagues, the American Heart Association wants to know how you showed your support on National Wear Red Day. Visit www.facebook.com/AmericanHeartAssociationKansasCity and upload your photo to the “Show Us Your Red” photo tab on Facebook for a chance to win a Wii Gaming console for your family, office or yourself. Winners will be notified and presented with their grand prize at the end of American Heart Month.
February has been celebrated as American Heart Month since 1963 to urge Americans to join the battle against heart disease. A presidential proclamation pays tribute to the researchers, physicians and other public health education professionals as well as volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating, and researching heart disease. The observation also recognizes the critical importance of developing tools that will increase survival rates from heart attacks and cardiac arrest. President George W. Bush entered his proclamation on Feb. 1, 2002, and the message continues to ring true today.
For more information about American Heart Month or National Wear Red Day please contact Ciara O’Brien Murray, communications director, at (913) 652-1966 or Ciara.Murray@heart.org.