Welcome to February, the month dedicated to heart health! If you or someone you love has been affected or killed by heart disease, you understand how dangerous neglecting our hearts can be. Historically, men have been the center of attention when it comes to heart complications. However, according to WomensHeart.org, “Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America.” That is 8.6 million women missed each year and one third of total female deaths. Since 1984, more women are actually killed from heart disease than men.
Go Red For Women is a “passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their health.” For Go Red, first things first, spreading awareness. February 3rd was “Wear Red Day.” Go Red challenged women to wear red in order to call attention to the frightening amount of women’s lives taken by heart disease. The organization is known for its red dress pins, which have also been adopted by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). YOU can continue to spread awareness as well with your very own pin. Get one online for free!
Once women know about the general dangers of heart disease, they can take the Go Red Heart CheckUp online. Yes, they make the first step that simple! Just answer a series of medical questions at your very own desk and discover your personal risk for heart disease. After completing the questionnaire, Go Red sets you up with your very own Personal Action Plan complete with fitness and nutritional guidelines. The website is also filled with tons of heart healthy recipes that are simple and delicious.
If you want to take your heart health a step further. You can sign up for Go Red’s Better U Program, a FREE 12-week online nutrition and fitness program which focuses on a different area of your health each week with step-by-step instructions. Why wait? Give your heart a makeover!
The movement is continually expanding. Sixteen cities across the United States illuminated red lights on February 5, 2010 to spread awareness. You can easily be a part of the movement too! Donations are quick and simple online. Or, plan your very own Wear Red Day in your office, find others interested in improving their heart health with Go Red Heart Match, join a Go Red Luncheon, or make a fashion statement with Go Red’s Shop Heart clothing, accessory, and jewelry collections.
Don’t forget to follow Go Red on Twitter and “Like” on Facebook!
-Emily Freeman
