“Go Red for Women Luncheon” held in Burlington

Historically, heart disease was considered a disease only effecting men.

AHA hosts several other events and projects throughout the year to raise awareness about heart disease, but one that Brandt has been working especially hard on this year is the Heart Walk. Through local community events and awareness activities, thousands across the country wear red to unite in the national movement to give women a personal and urgent wake-up call about their risk for heart disease. “February is the ideal time to learn more about your heart health and make positive lifestyle changes”. There is a day, though, before February 14 that recognizes hearts-not the cartoonish kind, rather the ones with atria and ventricles.

In addition to wearing red, women are encouraged to talk about heart health as well as make a commitment to get active, eat healthy, and monitor blood pressure. “All efforts, like what Alpha Phi is doing, to raise women’s awareness of the importance of heart health and improve their skills to detect early signs of heart disease are critical”.

The room was filled with red, and the group was empowered with tools to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Melissa Youngblood, Union County Spokeswoman for the the 2017-2018 Go Red for Women Campaign, will speak about the “Paint the Town Red Project” in Union and being a heart attack survivor.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases – which includes stroke – claim the life of a woman about every 80 seconds.

The first Friday each February is a special day set aside to remind us of this astounding evidence and spread awareness of heart disease in women.

The American Heart Association reached out to the OptumCare community centers, which provide medical care and various classes in the Valley, to welcome them to participate in the campaign.

February is American Heart Month, and this year the focus is on women’s heart health.