February is American Heart Month and Friday, February 1^st is National “Wear Red” Day, which is a day that shows support and awareness of women’s heart health.

Go Red for Women is an  American Heart Association’s initiative that raises awareness for women’s heart disease and educates people nationwide on the signs and symptoms to look for regarding cardiovascular diseases.

Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in American women.

According to the American Heart Association, “Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in American women, claiming over 400,000 lives each year, or nearly one death each minute.”

Prevent heart disease

The good news is that 80 percent of cardiovascular events can be prevented. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers four easy tips for prevention:

1. Don’t Smoke
2. Manage Conditions i.e. high blood pressure and high cholesterol
3. Make Eating Changes
4. Stay Active

Understand the symptoms

Understanding the signs and symptoms is important and can help prevent future events.  Some conditions and behaviors that can increase your risk are:

1. High Blood Pressure
2. High Cholesterol
3. Smoking
4. Obesity
5. Diabetes
6. Unhealthy Eating
7. Lack of Physical Activity

Go to https://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/index.html to learn more about the risks, symptoms and prevention tips.

Join SoHum Health and the Go Red for Women movement by wearing red on Feb. 1^st and join over 50 countries as they show their support for women’s heart health.

For question on heart health or to schedule an appointment, call the SoHum Health Community Clinic at (707) 923-3921 ext. 221.

For more information about the Go Red For Women movement go to www.goredforwomen.org.

SHCHD, Staff writer