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Rockin’ Red for Women

February 03, 2012 | by Sandy Tollefson

My father had heart disease. He died at 62. Heart disease is a man’s disease. That’s what I grew up believing. But it’s not. In fact, an estimated 42 million American women have cardiovascular disease. Many have no idea they are living with it. National Wear Red Day^® on February 3 this year is a joint initiative of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease and others. The hope is to raise awareness of heart disease among women and promote heart-healthy lifestyles.

StoneArch Creative rocked red in support of our mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters who have, or could develop, heart disease. Staff donned red sweaters, shirts, shoes and other assorted garments to add our voices to the national effort. Many people know the classic signs of a heart attack but women can have symptoms that are often explained away or ignored: symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Check out your heart smarts with the woman’s heart health quiz. You may be surprised what you learn.

Of course, the best intervention is still prevention. We’ve all heard it before: don’t smoke or use tobacco, exercise regularly, eat healthy, maintain a healthy weight, and see your physician routinely.
But it’s sound advice considering that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women in America, surpassing all forms of cancer combined. Pretty sobering thought. So, give your heart a break. Step back from the donut and take the stairs. And give the women in your life extra hugs today.