Go Red for Women, Wear Red Day, AHA and Betty White say Talk to 5 Women today about Heart Disease

This month is American Heart Month, and today is National Wear Red Day.  The American Heart Association initiated “Go Red for Women” as a way for women to show their support in the fight against heart disease.  Since its inception, people have picked up on the idea with great enthusiasm.

The Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Marquette Interchange and the Art Museum are all lit up in red today.  In New York Actress Jennie Garth will make an appearance at Macy’s.  Texas has numerous events as do Nevada, Florida, California.  Companies around the country are donating a percentage of sales to the AHA.  And although the movement is called Go Red for Women, of course men are encouraged to participate too.

What a great color to choose.  Glamorous, lively, passionate, the color embodies the spirit of the fight for life.  The tradition is part of a call to action to raise awareness of women’s need to empower and educate themselves fully on all the factors contributing to heart disease so they can outwit this number one serial killer.

The American Heart Association is asking everybody to talk to 5 women about how they can prevent this terrible disease which is the leading cause of death in American women from the age of 20, killing one in three – compared to breast cancer, which takes one in every thirty  women.     80% of cardiac events in women can be prevented by making healthier choices.  Such as exercising, not smoking, changing food habits.

Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs:  The victim isn't breathing normally, and doesn't respond when you tap them on the shoulders.  If you tilt their head back for at least five seconds and they don't take a normal breath, they could be in cardiac arrest.

Symptoms Of A Heart Attack:  Chest Discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.  Other signs are shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Stroke Warning Signs:  Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body;  Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;  Trouble seeing in one or both eyes;  Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination;  Severe headache with no known cause.

Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs:  No response to tapping on shoulders and the victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.

If you experience any of these symptoms, the Heart Association recommends that you dial 911 immediately, because it is almost always the fastest route to lifesaving treatment.  Emergency medical services staff will start treating you as soon as they arrive, which can be up to an hour sooner than if you try to get to the hospital car.  Even if you own a Red Porsche.  Plus, patients who arrive by ambulance often get priority treatment at the hospital.

Not all heart or strokes come with all the symptoms.  Sometimes some of them present and go away again.  And sometimes the symptoms are signs of stress or something else.  But it is recommended that you get them checked immediately. Women often don’t want to be any trouble and put off calling for help.  Taking a risk could cost you your life – or your mobility.  So what if it’s a false alarm?  Better to be a bit embarrassed than dead or half paralyzed for the rest of your life.  For more information, visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/

Why not participate in an event if there’s one near you?  Google will tell you all about it.  It’s always fun to dress up in red.  Or else, on a lighter note, have a look at Betty White passing the word in her inimicable way.