American Heart Association urges awareness of women and heart disease

Almost every minute, a woman in the United States dies from heart disease, according to American Heart Association statistics.

The American Heart Association has designated Friday, Feb. 5, as National Wear Red Day. All West Shore Medical Center staff is being encouraged to participate as a simple way to raise awareness about the fight against heart disease in women. Other businesses are invited to encourage employees to participate as well and share the changes they’ve made to live heart healthy lives.

The American Heart Association offers these statistics on women and heart disease:

·        While one in 30 women in America die of breast cancer, one in three die of heart disease.

·        Ninety percent of women have one risk factor or more for developing heart disease.

·        Only one in five women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.

·        Heart disease is largely preventable. In fact, 80 percent of cardiac events in women could have been prevented if women made the right choices for their hearts involving diet, exercise, and abstinence from smoking. 

For more information on West Shore Medical Center’s Cardiopulmonary Services, call (231) 398-1000.