You At Your Best

There's no time of the year like February for raising awareness of cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death for women. The entire month is designated as American Heart Month by the American Heart Association, highlighted by national Wear Red Day on Feb. 7. During National Wear Red Day, the AHA invites and encourages everyone to "go red" by wearing red — a necktie, a scarf, a blouse, dress, lapel pin or sneakers. The special day and the larger month-long celebration are part of the year-long Go Red for Women movement. This year's Northwest Arkansas Go Red for Women luncheon is 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Feb. 19 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. New to this year's Go Red initiative is the "Watch Me" facet – the role reversal of the influence mothers have on their daughters. These days, mothers are learning from their daughters, particularly when it comes to heart health. "Our mothers have watched us our whole lives. They watched us with pride, with love, with admiration," says Mellissa Wood, corporate market director for the AHA's Go Red for Women movement in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. "They're still watching. But now they're learning from us. Learning how to set up their Smartphone, how to eat healthier, and more." Nearly 90% of millennial women are concerned about the health of their mother or mother figure, Wood says, quoting a recent study commissioned by the AHA. Knowing that their choices influence their mother's choices, about 87% of millennial women would change their diet, about 83 percent would exercise more, and some 78 percent would go to the doctor more. Millennial women are also likely to make some serious sacrifices – their career, financial security or their home – to positively influence their mother's health. So, says Wood: "The best thing you can do for yourself – and for your mom – is to actively take the small steps together that add up to a healthy heart." Those who want to Go Red and Give should go to WearRedDay.org and use the hashtag #GoRedandGive to share their support on social media. Text and photo courtesy of American Heart Association past and present chairmen of the american Heart association's northwest arkansas Go red for Women luncheon: Kimberly Joubert, Silvia azrai Kawas, Diana Marshall and Debbie alsup. by Karen rICe you at your beSt Heart disease claims more female lives than breast cancer, other cancers, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer's disease combined. Dr. Appathurai Balamurugan, the State Chronic Disease Director at the Arkansas Department of Health points out that "While the leading health risks for both men and women in Arkansas are the same – heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and stroke – fewer women than men survive their first heart attack. Also, women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men." The American Heart Association indicates that more women are now aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death among females than they were 20 years ago. However, the AHA reports that only 42 percent of women aged 35 and older are concerned about heart disease. Here are some women's heart health facts to consider: · Roughly one female death per minute is attributed to heart disease. · Heart disease affects women of all ages. In fact, the AHA says that the combination of smoking and birth control pills can increase heart disease risk in younger women by 20 percent. · Mercy Health System says about 5.8 percent of all white women, 7.6 percent of black women, and 5.6 percent of Mexican American women have coronary heart disease. · According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. · When symptoms are present in women, they are not like the stereotypical clutching of the chest that men experience. Heart disease symptoms in women can include upper back pain, chest discomfort, heartburn, extreme fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath. · Even fit women can be affected by heart disease. Inherent risk factors, such as high cholesterol, can counteract healthy habits. Taking charge of factors they can control can reduce women's risk of heart disease. Dr. Balamurugan says, "Engaging in regular moderate physical activity of at least 150 minutes a week, and eating healthy foods such as consuming more vegetables and fruits, have shown to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke." Other steps women can take are losing weight, quitting smoking and keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum. Women also should speak with their doctors about heart disease, and get cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly. matters of the heart for women Wear Red! These days, mothers are learning from their daughters, particularly when it comes to heart health. SATURdAY, JAnUARY 25, 2020 | FEBRUARY - HAppY HEART nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 5

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