DES MOINES —
February is American Heart Month, and Feb. 3 kicked it off with National Wear Red Day and with a proclamation signed by Gov. Terry Branstad. Both in which will be drawing attention to cardiovascular disease and the efforts to stop America’s number one killer, heart disease.
The proclamation signing took place at 1 p.m. at the Capitol in efforts to raise public awareness across Iowa. The facts are clear. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, the killer isn’t as easy to see. Heart disease is often silent, hidden and misunderstood
The truth is: our lives are in our hands. We can stop our No. 1 killer together by sharing the truth. We can be the difference between life and death.
Since 1963, February has been celebrated as American Heart Month to urge Americans to join the battle against heart disease. Since 2004, February also has been the signature month for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign and the message that heart disease is not only a man’s problem. Consider these statistics:
•Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women age 20 and over, killing approximately 1 woman every minute.
•More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
•1 in 3 American women die of heart disease, compared to 1 in 30 women that die of breast cancer.
•Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
•Eighty percent of cardiac events in women may be prevented if they make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking.
Thanks to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, 65 percent of women in America now know that heart disease is their No. 1 health threat. This month, the American Heart Association asks you to expand that statistic by making the fight against heart disease your personal mission.
On Feb. 3 TV show hosts, buildings, companies and even landmarks went “going red,” on Wear Red Day, to raise awareness about this largely preventable disease. Join in by wearing something red and by starting heart healthy conversations.
Gov. Branstad mission is to make Iowa the healthiest state, let’s start with healthier hearts this February!
Get details on events near you at www.heart.org.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we’re the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org.
News
February 6, 2012
American Heart Association asks Iowans to help fight the No.1 killer
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