Go Red to Raise Awareness for Women’s Heart Health

go red for heart disease

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red for Women movement encourages everyone to take action! Wear red on February 7th to help raise awareness and fight heart disease in women.

The day before National Wear Red Day, a member of our team tragically lost a dear friend to a heart-related issue. The A Place At Home team came together today and wore red to support and raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. It is the leading cause of death among women and claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined.

The Heart Disease Myth

Heart disease and stroke have long been associated as an older man’s disease. In order to dispel this myth, the AHA created the Go Red For Women initiative to empower women to take charge of their heart health. Taking charge of your heart health will help reduce the tragic results of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Along with having a balanced diet and being active, real health includes getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness, managing stress, and engaging socially. Moving towards better habits helps build better health. AHA has a tool called My Life Check where you can take a health assessment to guide you toward ideal heart health habits.

My Life Check Assessment

Once you create an account, the assessment takes under 5 minutes. Your results will give you areas to focus on, areas to improve and areas to celebrate. Even tackling one new habit at a time sets you in the right direction and helps you avoid getting overwhelmed.

Make it a Top Priority

A women’s to-do list can seem never-ending. Making time to care for your heart by monitoring your diet and a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise several days a week can be the ticket to fighting heart disease. There is real preventative power within your lifestyle habits.

While heart disease may not seem like a reality to you because you haven’t experienced loss in your family, it doesn’t make you immune. Read these real stories of survival from women that fought for their lives and want to inspire you to take action.

Join the Movement

The Go Red For Women movement has raised $540 million. These donations help support research, education, advocacy, prevention, and awareness programs. In honor of our team member’s friend who lost her life much too soon, please join us in spreading awareness today. You can also take action every day to protect your own health.

To donate to the cause visit AHA.

How to Prevent Heart Disease At Any Age

Taking proper care of your heart requires a lifestyle commitment that not everyone is willing to make. People of all ages can get caught up in bad habits like smoking, unhealthy eating, and lack of exercise. Proactively taking steps to prevent heart disease is essential to living a healthy life. Check out the tips below to get started on your journey to healthy living.

Live smoke-free

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans each year. The act of smoking is always extremely harsh on our hearts and blood vessels by giving way to increased blood pressure and depleted oxygen levels.

In just 20 minutes after that last drag, blood pressure levels and pulse rates begin dropping. After a full year of quitting, a person’s chance of a heart attack is diminished by half. Reducing the risks associated with cardiovascular disease begins with putting out that last cigarette, for good. Remember, quitting tobacco products completely is the only working strategy to fully protect your heart from the negative effects of smoking.

Eat Healthily

Did you know that protecting yourself from heart attacks and other complications of heart disease can begin with a simple change in diet? Diets high in sodium can lead to
increases in blood pressure and further complicate symptoms of an existing cardiovascular disease.

  • Limit consumption of unhealthy, solid fats
  • Cut down on recipes that are high in cholesterol.
  • Substitute plain fruits and vegetables into your shopping list for items that are high in sodium, like instant dinners.
  • Consider purchasing from local producers to add an extra dash of freshness to your next entree.

Looking for a new culinary direction for your meals? Check out the delicious, heart-healthy dishes that are common to the Mediterranean diet. Seniors can benefit positively from the food choices associated with a Mediterranean diet, as well as the cultural emphasis on enjoying meals with friends and family.

Exercise Daily

One of the greatest challenges is pairing a nutritious diet with a regular schedule of exercise. Older adults, who are at the greatest risk of heart disease, must engage in regular physical activity to enjoy lower, safer blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

If you are looking for activities to stay active, don’t underestimate the value of simply going for a walk if the weather is tolerable. Many adults with joint pain and arthritis will turn to yoga or water aerobics as their outlet for physical activity. Water provides a kind of low-impact resistance training capable of targeting your joints and muscles.

As always, family members and caregivers should work to improve mobility and fall prevention by finding exercises that target the skills and abilities that can keep seniors safe during their daily routines.