CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES REMAIN LEADING KILLER OF WOMEN

In spite of extraordinary progress, more needs to be done to save women from heart disease, says American Heart Association CEOJune 22, 2017 Categories: Advisories & Comments, Program News
Washington, D.C., June 22, 2017 – American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown and co-author of the study “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs Regarding Cardiovascular Disease in Women” published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, issued the following comments:

“Cardiovascular diseases cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. That’s why the American Heart Association first brought this critical issue to light through the creation of the Go Red For Women™ movement in 2004. Since then, we’ve reached millions of women and healthcare professionals through our groundbreaking education and awareness campaign. Yet, as this study and our own surveys show, awareness of heart disease as a women’s number 1 killer is still needed among women and physicians.
While heart disease-related deaths in women have declined and knowledge of risk has risen, the change is not happening quickly enough.
The Association’s work led to the first guidelines about women and cardiovascular disease for medical professionals. 

Too many doctors are failing their female patients by not following these science-based guidelines. The medical community must take action with added urgency. Women, especially those who are younger or ethnic minorities, are often assigned a lower cardiovascular risk assessment than males with similar risks and are less likely to receive preventative care from their doctors. This is unacceptable.
It’s important for women to take action to protect their heart health as well. While we know cardiovascular diseases kills about one woman every 80 seconds, we also know about 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be prevented with education and action. The most important personal action: know your numbers. Knowing the most critical numbers for your heart health including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body mass index (BMI) could save your life.

Please see links to Go Red For Women tools and resources below. I’ve include a link to GRFW’s GoRedGetFit Facebook page as well. We encourage women to join the conversation with these inspirational and motivating members.

• GoRedForWomen.org: Symptoms of a Heart Attack and Stroke
  
• GoRedForWomen.org - Know Your Numbers
  
• GoRedForWomen.org: How To Prevent Heart Disease
  
• Go Red Get Fit Facebook Page