You At Your Best

by KareN riCe NWa DemoCraT-GazeTTe On the first Friday of every February, the nation comes together for National Wear Red Day, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. From landmarks to news anchors and neighborhoods to online communities, this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke, the nation's No. 1 and No. 5 killers. Participants can "Go Red" by wearing red – a neck tie, a scarf, a jacket, a blouse or a dress – to bring awareness to the American Heart Association's mission of being a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Other ways to celebrate: change the light bulbs on the outside lights of your office or other commercial business to red bulbs for the day and night; take a selfie of yourself and your friends wearing red and post to your social media using the hashtag #NWAGoRed; or host a Wear Red Day party at work, home, school or anywhere else. This year, the American Heart Association is introducing a new personal fundraising tool for National Wear Red Day. Setting up your own fundraiser is easy at www.crowdrise.com/wear- red-day-2019 . National Wear Red Day kicks off American Heart Month, a time to build awareness of heart health. National Wear Red Day and American Heart Month are part of the Go Red for Women movement, which also includes the NWA Go Red for Women luncheon, set for May 21 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers. "It's no longer just about wearing red; it's no longer just about sharing heart health facts," says Mellissa Wood, Corporate Market Director of the Go Red for Women campaign. "It's about all women making a commitment to stand together and taking charge of their own heart health as well as the health of those they can't bear to live without." The first facts one needs to know are very serious: Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. In 2003, the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute took action against a disease that was claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year – a disease that women weren't paying attention to. Fortunately, those statistics can be changed because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action. Mellissa adds, "the more a woman knows about heart disease, the better chance she has of beating it." national Wear red Day kicks off American Heart Month and Go red for Women Campaign Diana marshall and Terry marquardt, at the 2018 Go red for Women(r) luncheon. This year's luncheon co-chairs are Diana marshall and Kimberly Joubert. Did you know? According to the American Heart Association, half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease do not exhibit symptoms. The AHA also says that between 70 and 89 percent of sudden cardiac events occur in men. Both of those factors only highlight the importance men must place on protecting themselves against heart disease. The AHA notes that the steps that can help men reduce their risk for heart disease vary depending on their ages. For example, men in their 20s can make sure they exercise regularly, avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, and schedule routine wellness visits with their physicians. Men in their 50s may need to be more diligent in their efforts to prevent heart disease, especially if they have already been diagnosed with conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. While young men and older men may need to employ different strategies in their fights against heart disease, men of all ages can benefit from routine exercise, nutritious diets and healthy lifestyles. More information about combatting heart disease can be found at www.heart.org. 8 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST FEBRUARY - ThE hEART iSSUE | SATURdAY, JAnUARY 26, 2019

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