Wear Red Day
By: Mala and Tessie
Our Mom survived a heart attack when she was 31. That was in 2009, so it was before our time, but we are happy that her friend convinced her to go to the hospital that night so she could go on living and adopt us.
Today is National Wear Red Day, which supports women’s cardiovascular health by encouraging everyone to wear red, share information and resources, and donate to support research and education.
This annual event unites millions of people for a common goal: saving more women’s lives. We’re even wearing our red collars. Last year, we donned a red lei to celebrate.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Today’s event is an opportunity to remind all the women in our lives that heart disease is their top health threat and that it kills more women than all types of cancer combined. Know your risk and the symptoms of a heart attack, which differ in women from those in men. The following information is from the American Heart Association.
Risk factors include:
High blood pressure
Smoking
High blood cholesterol
Lack of regular activity
Obesity or overweight
Diabetes
Heredity (family health history)
Previous stroke or heart attack
Symptoms of a heart attack in women include:
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Wear red today to be seen and heard, and to make an impact!