Friday, February 3rd, 2023 is National Wear Red Day.  Dressing in red on this day is a great way to support women’s heart health awareness.  While heart disease is most often associated with men, it is the leading cause of death for both men and women. 

The Go Red For Women initiative aims to educate the public about women's heart health risks and how to lower them.  Women have different symptoms, causes and outcomes than men do when it comes to heart disease. Being aware of all the facts can mean the difference between life and death.

---

Women’s Heart Health Facts

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both women and men

400,000 women –or 1 in 5– die of heart disease in the US annually

Women who have heart attacks are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders

45% of women don’t know that heart disease is their biggest health risk

Women are less likely to call 911 when experiencing heart attack symptoms

40% of women do not experience chest pain during a heart attack

Women are less likely than men to receive heart medications

40% of women don’t have their heart health assessed during annual physicals

Women are less likely to be referred for cardiac rehab following a heart attack

There is not enough research being done on women’s heart disease

The Covid-19 Pandemic has increased the number of cardiovascular deaths

Women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with heart disease

A woman dies of heart disease in the US every minute

---

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Smoking

Being physically inactive

An unhealthy diet

High cholesterol

High blood pressure

Being overweight or obese

Diabetes

Drinking too much alcohol

Depression and mental health issues

---

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Call 911, Get to a Hospital

Neck, throat or jaw pain or discomfort

Nausea

Lightheadedness

Breaking out in a cold sweat

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

Vomiting

Arm, upper ab or back pain

Chest pain or discomfort, which can feel sharp, dull or heavy

Dizziness

Fainting

Heart attack symptoms in women can be subtle and vary a lot.  Mistaking these symptoms for the flu, acid reflux or aging can cost you your life.  Every second counts. 

---

What You Can Do To Lower Your Risks and Those of Your Loved Ones

Exercise regularly

Don’t smoke

Control your blood pressure

Check for diabetes

Eat a healthy diet

Monitor cholesterol

Limit or avoid alcohol

Manage stress

Educate yourself and others on cardiovascular disease causes and symptoms

Talk to your doctor about your heart health and have regular checkups

Call 911 if experiencing symptoms

Learn CPR

Support Women's Health Research

---

The Takeaway

Wearing red on Friday, February 3rd raises awareness of the importance of women’s heart health.  Because heart disease is often thought of as a man’s disease, many women go undiagnosed.  We need to be aware of the risks, causes and consequences, so we can take the preventative actions which could save our lives.

Smoking, obesity, chronic stress, diabetes and high blood pressure are some of the risk factors of heart disease.  There is a lot we can do to reduce our risks.  Some of these steps include exercising regularly, managing stress and consuming a healthy diet. 

Women’s heart attack symptoms vary and can be different from men’s.  We do not always experience chest pain.  Nausea, dizziness, arm pain and shortness of breath are some of the warning signs women can have.  It is important that we call 911 and get to a hospital if we experience sudden unexplained pain or discomfort.

The causes, symptoms and outcomes of cardiovascular events in women can be different from men's.  For this reason, it is imperative we empower ourselves through awareness. By understanding the causes and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, we can lower our risk of heart disease.  Eliminating the biggest threat to our health is the worthiest of goals.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Heart.org;  cdc.gov;  goredforwomen.org;  wellcornell.org