Feb 4: Wear Red Friday!!! (We interrupt this blog....)

February is National Heart Awareness Month.

Here are the facts:

Heart disease is the:
-3rd leading cause of death in women 25-44 years old
-2nd leading cause of death in women 45-64
-1rst leading cause of death in women older than 65 years old

-More than 50% of women will die from heart disease over the course of their lives. (Only 1 on 30 women will die from breast cancer, although 1 in 9 will be diagnosed with the disease.)

-In the US, a woman dies from CardioVascular Disease (CVD) EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY

Friday, February 6, is the day designated for Awareness of Women and Heart Disease.

Yup, just one day.

Every study, including one done in 2008, shows that women die every day because physicians and other health personnel, as well as women themselves, don't recognize their symptoms as being cardiac and are treated less aggressively than men. Women aren't given diagnostic tests as often, are not treated as quickly in emergency rooms, do not receive cardiac catheterizations or heart surgery as often. So much for equality.

Heart disease is a woman's greatest health risk. And lack of knowledge and awareness is killing women.

Please: Be aware. Get the facts. Get a second opinion if your doctor isn't testing you or listening to you. Be your own advocate, and be one for those you love.

And on Friday, WEAR RED and increase awareness of women and heart disease.

For more information, go to www.americanheart.org

Thank you, Laurie