Even though coronary heart disease is the number one killer of American women over the age of 25, only 13 percent of women view heart disease as a health concern. To help raise awareness of heart disease among women and to encourage more women to take this threat to their health seriously, Houston Northwest Medical Center is distributing more than 19,000 Red Dress lapel pins to employees in the Spring, Klein and Aldine school districts. Women who receive the complimentary pin will be encouraged to wear it on National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 5, a day when millions of Americans will be wearing red to show their support of women and the fight against heart disease.
“We appreciate the efforts of Houston Northwest Medical Center to help improve the health and well-being of local school district employees,” says at Laurie G. Combe, MN, RN, Klein ISD Health Services Coordinator at Klein Independent School District.
“Keeping our teachers healthy by raising awareness of heart health issues ultimately enhances the level of wellness within the community,” says Barbara Sommer, BSN, RN, nurse program leader at Spring Independent School District.
Go Red For Women is a nationwide movement created by the American Heart Association designed to celebrate the energy, passion and power that women have to band together and wipe out heart disease. Spreading the Go Red For Women message by wearing red on National Wear Red day empowers women to love – and save – their hearts through lifestyle choices and actions.
Women can learn more about heart health, warning signs of a heart attack, and preventing heart disease for women on Houston Northwest Medical Center’s website at www.hnmc.com/GoRedForWomen. Women also can take an online risk assessment quiz as well as download tip sheets and guides with information about how to make better, healthy lifestyle choices.
“Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more than 480,000 women each year. That means someone’s mother, daughter, aunt, sister or cousin dies approximately every minute,” says Pam Egan, director of the Ed Roberson Heart Center. “By raising awareness of heart disease among women, we can help inspire them to take charge of their heart health and take steps to save their hearts through lifestyle choices and actions.”