Published: February 03, 2007 11:59 pm      

‘Go Red for Women’ raises awareness

Heart disease No. 1 killer of U.S. women

FAIRMONT — Go Red — for your heart, for your health, for your life.”

“Go Red for Women” is being observed during the month of February as part of the American Heart Association’s nationwide movement to make women aware that they are as much at risk for heart problems as men.

Fairmont General Hospital is getting involved.

“Many women are not aware than heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States,” said Alanna Wyant, manager of cardiac rehab at FGH. “Heart disease is not just a man’s disease anymore.”

“We’re observing the month to bring out public awareness for women,” she said. “We’re having a luncheon at Muriale’s Feb. 26 with several guest speakers. And we’re planning something special at Fairmont General on Feb. 14.”

“The red dress is a symbol for Go Red Day,” said Mary Bates, a registered nurse and registered vascular technologist. “They have done this in Morgantown and Clarksburg, and we want to bring up the awareness here.”

She pointed out that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women over 25, noting that cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 500,000 women each year. That’s more than the next seven causes of women’s deaths combined.

Bates said statistics show that about one in every 2.5 women will die of either heart disease or stroke compared to one in every 30 women from breast cancer.

“We’ll have a table set up in the lobby to help women see how much they are at risk,” she said, noting risk factor profiles will be available.

“They can actually determine their risk of having heart disease within the next 10 years. When they realize where their chances fall, we can give them things they can do to change the risk.”

She gave an example — related to blood pressure.

“For instance, their blood pressure should be less than 120. Most don’t realize that. It could be diet, or diet and exercise, or maybe they need to be on medicine. ... Health care has gotten to the point where we all need to know about it.”

Then she gave disturbing statistics.

“Women, if they get heart disease, are more likely to die from it than men,” Bates said. “While the mortality rate for men is decreasing, the women’s rate is staying the same.”

Bates said the focus in the past has been on men’s health.

“Men are generally considered the main sufferers of heart disease. But in 2001, women made up 53 percent of all heart deaths.

“Most women aren’t aware of this,” she said. “We need to educate women, the public and health-care providers.”

Bates said three billboards are planned in Fairmont using the “Go Red for Women” theme.

“Women can wear red dresses or a red top and black bottom,” she said, to promote the “Go Red” activities.

Because of the American Heart Association’s nationwide movement that “celebrates the energy, passion and power,” women have to band together and wipe out heart disease. Thus the “Go Red for Women” movement started.

The movement gives women tips and information on healthy eating, exercise and risk-factor reduction, such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management.

E-mail John Veasey at jcveasey@timeswv.com.