American Heart Association Go Red for Women Day

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Today is American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day.

Every year, an estimated eight hundred thousand Americans die from a heart attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC says approximately four hundred thousand, nearly half of those counted, are women.

American Heart Association’s goal is to raise awareness about the number one killer of women, which is cardiovascular disease. This disease impacts women at higher rates than men and can affect a woman at any age.

“It is about women taking charge of their lives and their heart health; knowing their cholesterol, knowing your blood pressure, knowing their sugar levels. It is about women making a commitment to accelerating their focus on heart disease beyond wearing the color red,” said Michelle Albert, M.D., M.P.H. of the American Heart Association.

According to the American Heart Association, symptoms of a heart attack can be similar to those shown in men, but can sometimes be more subtle.

Chest pain or tightness is a common symptom; while other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain can be a signal. For more information on warning signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke symptoms in women visit the American Heart Association website.

It is good to know most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented with healthy lifestyle changes. Some preventive measures that can be taken are regular physical activity, eating healthy meals, implementing good cooking habits and to quit smoking if you are a smoker.

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