It’s the time of year when love is in the air and stores are filled with candy hearts, the color red and lots of roses. February reminds us of Valentine’s Day, ice skating dates, and sticking to those New Year’s resolutions we just committed to the month before. It’s no surprise that February is also American Heart Month, a federally designated event, and an ideal time to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends and communities involved.
Did you know? Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer among women, taking more lives than all cancers combined. In fact, women account for almost half of all cardiovascular deaths. The good news is that 80 percent of these deaths can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. Although every woman is different, the more you know about heart disease and its warning signs, the better the chances are at beating it!
The Go Red for Women campaign is the leading battle in the fight against heart disease in women. By providing lifesaving information to all ages and ethnicities, increasing gender-focused medical research, and learning how to make simple lifestyle changes can create a huge difference in the number of heart- related deaths each year. This tight-knit community is joined by survivors, mothers, sisters, daughters and so many more to remind and inspire us to take care of ourselves.
This February, take action and commit to loving your heart more by making simple lifestyle changes, knowing your numbers and exploring what makes you happy and healthy! This Valentine’s Day make a date with your heart and join the movement!
For more information on Go Red for Women, heart attack warning signs and lifestyle changes, visit www.goredforwomen.org.