'Go red' Friday to raise awareness for heart disease in women
The first Friday of February is National Wear Red Day, meant to educate and inform people of the risk for cardiovascular disease in women.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States and accounts for 1 in 5 female deaths, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, can impact women of all ages -- even younger women. Women who developed preeclampsia or gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at an elevated risk.
According to UNC Health cardiologist Elizabeth Volz, MD, “Any woman with a history of preeclampsia has a two to four times increased risk of chronic hypertension, heart disease (such as heart attack), stroke and diabetes."
This means some women are at the same risk of heart disease as a smoker. Unfortunately, the reason for this or cause is not certain.
As a healthy 31-year-old woman who experienced preeclampsia and high blood pressure during the final weeks of my first pregnancy, I'm especially alarmed by this research.
CNN reports gestational diabetes and preeclampsia increase the risk of heart disease by 54% and 30%, respectively, while other high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy doubled the risk. Delivering a baby early -- before 37 weeks -- or delivering a baby with a low birth weight were associated with a 72% and 10% increased risk, respectively.
Wear red and give
The American Heart Association's Wear Red website encourages women and loved ones to wear red on Friday, educate themselves about heart disease, become CPR-certified so you can help others during an emergency and start a fundraising page.
Women and men can lower their risk of heart disease by:
- Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a heart-healthy diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains
- Manage stress and sleep well
- See a doctor yearly for well visits
- Know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
