By Rachael Savoie, Human Resources
Friday, February 2nd isn’t just my birthday, but this year it’s National Wear Red Day! National Wear Red Day is held the first Friday in February to raise awareness about heart disease being the number one killer of women. All are encouraged to wear red and show their support for women’s heart health.
This year will mark the 15th year since the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute acted against a disease that was claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year. Here are some of the accomplishments that have happened over the past 15 years.
- Nearly 90% of women have made at least one healthy behavior change.
- More than one-third of women have lost weight.
- More than 50% of women have increased their exercise.
- 6 out of 10 women have changed their diets.
- More than 40% of women have checked their cholesterol levels.
- One-third of women have talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.
- Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day.
- Death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.
The American Heart Associations recommends that women know their numbers. Five important numbers you should know are your Total Cholesterol, HDL (good) Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and your Body Mass Index. If these numbers are something you don’t know, schedule a well-woman appointment today!