Unleashing the Power of Red: How attending Go Red For Women on February 24 Can Save Lives

Red is synonymous with Valentine's Day, weddings, and love. But did you know that red can also save lives? Every year the American Heart Association promotes Go Red For Women, Nina Seely and millions of other Americans attend this event to remind people about heart disease and its disproportionate impact on women.

On February 24, 2023 the American Heart Association will be holding their 19th Annual Austin Go Red for Women Luncheon and Summit.  This event brings women and men together to advocate for one another and learn how they can be a relentless force for a world of longer healthier lives. This year Star Jones, a survivor of heart disease and and for over a decade, she has been the National Volunteer of the American Heart Association.  As a leader of AHA’s national GoRed heart health initiatives, Ms. Jones was also a keynote speaker on the issue of Heart Health for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration National Day of Service. Ms. Jones uses her name, voice, time and international media platform to combat cardio-vascular disease; the nation’s number one killer and champion Heart Health in America and is credited as one of AHA's biggest donor fundraisers having helped raise millions of dollars for the cause of Heart Health.

Visit this link if you would like to join me on February 24th,  Event.Gives | Austin Go Red for Women.

The Go Red for Women movement is a global initiative started by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2014. It aims to empower and inspire women to take action to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. In particular, the American Heart Association focuses on increasing women's awareness of heart disease and stroke, encouraging them to make healthy choices and become more involved in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for one in four deaths. Minimizing these risks can help improve cardiovascular health and save lives. To reduce the risk, individuals should stay active, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and reduce daily stress. One way to do this is by participating in physical activities such as walking, jogging, or exercise classes.

Additionally, ensuring you eat a healthy and balanced diet can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A healthy diet includes a variety of foods from all the food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy products. Also, it is essential to focus on reducing stress through meditation or other stress-busting techniques.

Cardiovascular disease is a severe health problem that accounts for a significant share of healthcare costs. The CDC estimates cardiovascular disease costs the U.S. $219.1 billion annually, making it a significant contributor to national healthcare costs.

Effective and affordable interventions are required to address the substantial burden of cardiovascular disease and reduce its cost to U.S. healthcare systems. Reducing risk factors such as smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in physical activity can help reduce the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease and save lives. Effective treatment options such as heart-healthy diets, blood pressure-lowering medications, and cholesterol-lowering medications can also help improve patients' quality of life and reduce healthcare costs. But these measures are only part of the solution; it will require a multi-faceted approach to address this serious public health problem.

Cardiovascular disease is a serious health concern in the United States and the leading cause of death. In addition, women under 50 are twice as likely to die of a heart attack as men in the same age group. This alarming trend is projected to continue if no action is taken to reduce the risk of heart disease.

To raise awareness about heart disease and encourage people to take action to prevent and treat this deadly disease, individuals wear red on the first Friday of February, National Wear Red Day.  Red represents courage, strength, and hope, all of which are necessary for tackling heart disease and its devastating effects. Wearing red demonstrates support for those affected by heart disease and shows a commitment to tackling this critical health issue.

The heart disease epidemic is a serious health problem affecting men and women. Still, it poses a greater risk for women. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States, accounting for more than 1 in 3 deaths yearly.

Adding to this risk, women may experience different symptoms during a heart attack compared with the more commonly understood symptoms associated with men. For example, women often report pain in the back, arm, neck, or shoulder during a heart attack. In contrast, men are more likely to experience chest pain.

In addition to experiencing different symptoms, women may be at greater risk for complications from heart disease than men. For instance, young women are twice as likely as young men to die from a heart attack. Additionally, women may experience other health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that can worsen heart health.

Wearing red is a powerful way to raise awareness and help save lives. Each year, women across the globe participate in the Go Red for Women movement by wearing red on the first Friday of February to draw attention to heart health and raise awareness of its vital role in reducing heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.

The American Heart Association’s goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease is attainable through simple lifestyle changes such as eating heart-healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting proper heart-healthy checkups. By participating in the Go Red for Women movement, women can embrace these lifestyle changes and wear red as a reminder to make healthy choices.

Additionally, wearing red can empower women to take an active role in their heart health. By wearing red, women can become more familiar with their heart health and take steps to improve it. This could include making some lifestyle changes or undergoing an assessment for heart disease or stroke. By participating in the Go Red for Women movement, women can unite to make a difference and help save lives.

In addition to wearing red, participants can join heart-healthy lifestyles and make healthy choices. They can do this by following heart-healthy dietary guidelines, exercising regularly, and limiting harmful substances such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. You can also visit AHA's website to donate or find ways to get involved in your local community.

If you can't make it on February 24th, there are many other ways to get involved and be heart-smart like Nina Seely. Start with the AHA's Shop Smart, Eat Smart digital recipe booklet. It provides easy-to-follow heart-healthy recipes with photos and instructions. After reading through the booklet, you can print out the recipes that interest you and follow them as a guide. You can also watch heart-healthy videos or read articles about heart-healthy lifestyles. Finally, get informed about recognizing heart attack symptoms and call 911 immediately if you think you or someone else might be having one.