Heart Matters: National Wear Red Day
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
National Wear Red Day – Raising Awareness About Heart Disease
General statistics
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.
Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.
The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women and men, and are often misunderstood.
While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
Only 1 in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
Women comprise only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies.
What do you know about women and heart disease? have you read the information above and below? The statistics are stark; Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. In our life time, we might know a family member who suffered a heart attack or it might be us. Protecting our heart is a serious matter. What are you doing to protect yourself?
Heart disease is no laughing matter. After my father suffered a massive heart attack, I realized just how serious heart disease can be. Cheryl Hines
Heart Disease Affects us all – #1 killer of Women
African American women
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for African American women.
Of African American women ages 20 and older, 46.9 percent have cardiovascular disease
Only 1 in 5 African American women thinks she is personally at risk.
Nearly 50 percent of African American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Only 43 percent of African American know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.
These statistics represent only a fraction of the 2012 report featured in Circulation. To view the full findings, download a copy of the Heart Disease and Stroke 2012 Statistical Update
What does a survivor or a heart patient look like? They look like you, me, everyone out there. they are us. Yes, I am a survivor and that is me holding the heart pillow…. No one is immune from a heart attack or a congenital defect. What are you doing to protect yourself and your family?
More below
The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller
National Wear Red Day – Hearts Honoring Our Mothers and Ourselves
Hispanic women
Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women.
Only 1 in 3 Hispanic women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer.
Only 3 in 10 Hispanic women say they have been informed that they are at a higher risk.
Only 1 in 4 Hispanic women is aware of treatment options.
Hispanic women are more likely to take preventive actions for their family when it comes to heart health.
What can we do about it? First off, we must make sure to reduce stress in our lives and get check ups regularly. We can donate or volunteer our time and participate in local events that raise awareness about heart disease. Again, as in all diseases on the national front, we can reach out to our elected officials and, make sure they support funding and supporting equitable resources to all. What are your thoughts?
For More: Women’s Lives & Issues
Positive Motivation Tip: The heart is the center of all we do. Take care of yours and make sure your family does too.
More Wellness Boosters/Affirmations & Resources
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my Personal Collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
I work out A LOT, so I always think I am in great shape, but you just never know.
Reblogged this on Cbcburke9's Blog.
Great post! Thank you! This became a cause for me after my mother died of heart disease. We need to keep spreading the word that heart disease is the #1 killer of women, but it is also preventable with lifestyle changes.
So nice to see you and thank you for sharing. Woman frequently ignore the symptoms !
My best friend works for the heart association so I’m very in the know about these events and research campaigns. AHA is doing some great thigs for research!
It’s so easy to think you’re too young or too fit to worry about heart problems. Definitely not true. Great post to remind us to keep a check on our health!
Very informative, thanks.
Definitely a reminder we all need. Heart disease is all over my family and because I’m a woman, it’s a huge concern for me. Sadly I don’t do enough to prevent it. It’s more than time that I do.
I am 79 and do heart-move exercises nearly every Thursday for one hour under the instructions of a qualified teacher and with inspiring Latin music.
I often have to rest for a while for I always run quickly out of breath. This shortness of breath I have had for many years. I have been sent to many, many tests over the years. The tests never showed any abnormalities.
I think I am slightly overweight. I often attempt to eat a bit less. However, not very often I am really successful with this. Food just tastes too good! 🙂
I could easily agree with Emerson, that every day is the best day of the year.
Thanks for this post, Elizabeth. I think too that it is very important that we look after our health. It is good when someone reminds us of this. Wishing you best of health and good luck!
Have a very Happy Year!
Love, Uta
I forgot to mention that these heart-move classes are done in the company of about twenty women. The participant number varies. We only have to pay three Australian Dollars for each class. When we cannot make it one day, we do not pay anything. And the class is for seniors. Men can come too. However very seldom a man is game to join in.
Sobering statistics, Elizabeth. You are a survivor and have first hand knowledge. Knowledge is power. Eating healthy and exercising regularly helps, but it takes commitment and self-discipline which I need more of.
;(((( This reminds me of my aunt who passed away several months ago due to heart attack 🙁 I totally agree with you, we need to take care of ourselves and be a little more aware of what we do. I know I need to work out and eat more healthy foods, it’s been a while. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for sharing! Focusing on health is something most women need to be reminded to do
we all need to be aware of our health and take steps to keep ourselves fit and active so we stay healthy!! or get healthy in my case
Heart Health is so important. Thank you for this post. Def a great reminder for all of us.
These stats are dreadful.
Great tips for heart disease! As a cardiac nurse, I love wear red day and raising awareness for heart issues!
We all wore red at work yesterday! 🙂
These are interesting facts. I honestly had not heard most of them until now. Thank you for sharing.
These are good facts to know! I love Wear Red Day because it’s a day where women can show solidarity with each other…and I’ve seen men wear red on this day as well to support the women in their lives.
I’ve never even knew about Wear red day.
I don’t think we have this in Norway?
Many, and often women, is eating healthy and care about what they eat, because they want to be skinny, but health should be the most important reason.
Thanks for sharing.
Having had a heart procedure recently for angina this post struck home to me! I am trying to get more exercise and eat better but the stress factor is a tough one to change in my life! Blogging and Zentabgle help x
Very scary statistics! Our health should come as a top priority for us. Sadly it is so easy to neglect our bodies. I feel that the earlier the better it is to start implementing a healthier lifestyle. Wonderful write up!
I’ve never heard of wear red day but I’m not surprised! There are so many medical issues that need awareness and good heart health is extremely important!!
Heart disease is so scary, and form being an ER nurse, heart attacks present I. Different ways in different people. Knowing the warning signs and how to prevent it is paramount! Thanks for putting this information out there!
Such a helpful and informative post! It’s so scary. I had a good friend who passed away last November of heart trouble after childbirth, and she was only 34. So sad. Also, my favorite quotes are by Emerson.
I think women are so worried about taking care of everyone else that they don’t take care of themselves enough sometimes. I’m due for a good yearly checkup! Thanks for the reminder!
Wow, I am amazed at how prevalent heart disease is. Thank you for the great read and the information.
Those stats are awful. We need to be more protected
It’s so scary to think about this. So important to raise awareness.
Yes, this is such a serious issue. Thank you for spreading the word.
Thanks, Eliz – a very timely reminder 😉
So glad to hear from you dear Dianne! How’s the book coming?
Book is a bit slow at the moment, but I’m getting there 😉
This has educated me. Thank you.
I am always hearing about women ignoring the symptoms of a heart attack because they don’t realize it is a heart attack! It’s so important to increase awareness!
This makes me realize how short life can be cut short. Those statistics are staggereing.
I try to be very aware of my health in general, and perhaps don’t think specifically about my heart as much as I could. I do very often forget the statistics related to women and heart disease, so this is timely. It is a very serious concern. ox
I did not realize the numbers were that high. It really is crazy and I need to work on getting myself in better shape and take care of ME too, not just the kiddos.
Great post! So important to raise awareness!
I love posts like this that inform us of such important reminders to take care of ourselves! Thank you for increasing awareness!
Great post, brings a lot of awareness to this issue. I also had no idea the stats were so high!
Heart disease is so scary. Thanks for helping to spread the awareness.