February is Women’s Heart Health Awareness Month. This is reflected by National Wear Red Day, supported by the American Heart Association, which brings awareness to Women’s Heart Health. Red was chosen because women are known to be the “heartbeat of the home” since time began. Wearing Red then serves as a symbol for awareness of cardiovascular diseases among women.

Heart Racing Facts:

1 in 2 adults suffer from high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 103 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure. That’s nearly half of all adults & 45% of these are women.

17.9 million people died annually from some form of heart disease around the world. According to the American Heart Association, that is 1 in 7 & this number is expected to climb to 23.6 million by year 2030.

56% of women will die within five years of having a heart attack according to the American Heart Association.

#1 - Heart Disease Cause of Death in Women according to the American Heart Association.

Guard Your Heart:

Common symptoms whether the issue is a heart attack, angina, or heart failure: chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, nausea and/or stomach pain, and light headedness to name a few.

Love Your Heart:

80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable. According to World Health Organization, this includes heart disease and stroke. It can be done by healthy diet, physical activity (of which the American Heart Association reports that 33% of women do engage in physical activity), avoiding tobacco, and “knowing your numbers”. Having a healthy, active lifestyle can save your life!

Proverbs 14:23: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Mellissa Johnson

UADM Health Advisor