Hello February! Let it be powerful & sweet (and short)

I am SO glad it’s February… Just weeks away from spring now, regardless of that dang groundhog – we all know it’s coming soon.

February used to be known for Valentine’s Day and of course that is a great time to spread love all around. Over the last several years the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement has given February a powerful purpose: raising awareness that heart disease is the leading killer of women in our country.

Often, like in the case of my Aunt Mary, it sneaks up on us disguised as indigestion or nausea. That was over 25 years ago. Just last week, a friend shared that one of her close group of friends, in their early 50s lost her life to heart disease very unexpectedly in October under similar circumstances – the symptoms didn’t scream heart disease, so it was overlooked.

This tells me one clear thing: While we have made great strides in 25 years, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, women think it’s normal to be tired or that that stomach pain is just “something I ate.” We don’t take care of ourselves like we should.

So for today, here is a simple reminder that it is worth your time to familiarize yourself and those ladies you love about the facts surrounding heart disease and women, ANNUALLY. This is a GREAT month to step up to the plate and help ensure we are getting this information out. It’s a short month, but still a POWERFUL time to save lives.

Here are some of the valuable insights you can find at the Go Red for Women website:

• Cardiovascular disease or stroke causes 1 in 3 women’s death each year.
• 90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke.
• 80% of heart disease and stroke may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education.
• Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack.
• Heart attack warning signs include chest discomfort that lasts more than a few moments, or that goes away and comes back…
• Symptoms can include discomfort in other areas of the upper body… one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Also, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or a lightheaded feeling.

Educate yourself and others! Craft a Facebook post to share that shares these symptoms – or share this blog!