February is Heart Healthy Month: Feb 4. ‘Go Red for Women’

Friday, February 4 is designated ‘Go Red for Women’, a dedicated campaign within Heart Health Month. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age, making it vital for all women to understand their personal risk factors and family history. Women can also experience unique life events that can impact their risk, including pregnancy and menopause. Furthermore, research shows that stress may impact health, making it important for women to understand the mind-body connection and how to focus on improving both their physical health and mental well-being.

The American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative, “Go Red for Women”, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. It is no longer just about wearing red or just learning about heart health facts. It is about all women making a commitment to stand together with Go Red and taking charge of their own heart health as well as the health of those they can not bear to live without. Information can be found on the American Heart Association’s website: www.goredforwomen.org.  The Herald is challenging all our readers and the greater Postville community, both women and men, to snap a picture of themselves in RED to support “Go Red for Women” and post it to the Herald Facebook page on Friday, February 4. 

Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined and yet only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat. Among females 20 years and older, nearly 45% are living with some form of cardiovascular disease and less than 50% of women entering pregnancy in the United States have good heart health. The number one killer of new moms cardiovascular disease accounts for over one-third of maternal deaths. Black women have some of the highest maternal mortality rates. Overall, 10% to 20% of women will have a health issue during pregnancy, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes during pregnancy greatly increase a woman’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life.

Going through menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease, but the approach of menopause marks a point in midlife when women’s cardiovascular risk factors can accelerate, making increased focus on health during this pivotal life stage is crucial. Women who reach menopause before age 45 have a significantly higher risk of coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease results from plaque buildup in the arteries.

Deaths caused by high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension or the “silent killer,” are 51.9%  in women, and out of all women, 57.6% of Black females have hypertension, more than any other race or ethnicity. While there are an estimated 4.1 million female stroke survivors living today, approximately 57.5% of total stroke deaths are in women. Women are often less likely to receive bystander CPR because rescuers often fear accusations of inappropriate touching, sexual assault or injuring the victim. In a 2017 study by the American Heart Association of more than 19,000 people who had cardiac events: Only 39% of women received CPR from bystanders in public compared to 45% of men. Men’s odds of surviving a cardiac event were 23% higher than women’s.

Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, including our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who motivate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and companionship. Follow these heart-healthy lifestyle tips to protect your heart. It will be easier and more successful if you work on them with others, including by texting or phone calls if needed. Here are suggestions from the American Heart Association: Be more physically active, Maintain a healthy weight, Eat a nutritious diet, Quit smoking, Reduce stress, Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep, and Track your heart health stats.

You don’t have to make big changes all at once. Small steps will get you where you want to go.

Each week this month the Herald will feature an article dedicated to Heart Health month. If you have something or someone that you would like featured, please let us know.