Women raise awareness of No. 1 killer

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. But despite this harrowing fact, women often ignore heart problems until it’s too late.

In an effort to raise awareness of this troubling health issue, Warren County will be holding its second annual Go Red for Women Luncheon in association with the American Heart Association.

Local organizers are working on getting an early start on fundraising and planning. Patron chair Melanie Lanier says the event is an effort to educate women about the dangers of heart disease.

‘It’s specifically geared toward women,’ Lanier said. ‘Because women are more likely to die of heart disease than men, just because of the simple fact that women tend not to recognize the signs.’

Lanier says many in the medical community are also only just beginning to recognize how prevalent the condition is among women. Event chair Terrie Kirby says, because of this misconception, educating the public about heart disease in women is vital.

‘It’s imperative,’ Kirby said. ‘It’s the No. 1 killer of women. And it’s a silent killer, it happens before they notice. We really need to raise awareness in women and the people who love them, as well as physicians. It sneaks up on them and people don’t realize what’s happening.’

Kirby says people are very much aware of some other diseases which affect women, but tend to ignore heart disease.

‘October is breast cancer awareness month,’ Kirby said. ‘That is very important and we’re desperately looking for cures for cancer, but more women die from heart disease than breast cancer, and that’s why we need to work to raise awareness.’

Statistics from the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Web site bear this out:

‘ Only 13 percent of women view heart disease as a health threat, even though it’s women’s No. 1 killer.

‘ Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over 480,000 women a year, about one per minute.

‘ One in three adult females and males in the United States suffer from a form of CVD.

‘ CVD claims more lives than the next four most common causes of death combined.

‘ On average, an American dies of CVD every 35 seconds.

‘ Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 single killer of women over age 25.

‘ Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.

‘ One in 2.6 female deaths are from CVD, compared with one in 30 from breast cancer.

‘ Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death for American women, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability.

‘ Stroke kills more women than men. In 2003, females represented 61 percent of stroke deaths.

Kirby says there is hope, since heart disease can be prevented by making some changes in our habits.

‘The thing with heart disease is you can make lifestyle choices,’ Kirby said. ‘You can change your lifestyle and really reduce the incidence of heart disease in your life by healthy eating, exercise, knowing your numbers, knowing your cholesterol, your sugar levels, your weight, blood pressure, all of this makes a huge difference. Quitting smoking, limiting use of alcohol, these are lifestyle choices every woman can make and really make a big difference in their life expectancy.’

Currently organizers are looking for individual, business and corporate sponsors for the luncheon. Sponsorships range from $500 to $5,000 and come with a variety of benefits for those who participate.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon is scheduled for Feb. 29 at the Bridgestone Firestone Learning Center. For more information on the event, contact Kirby by e-mail at [email protected].