What does GO RED mean?

Over the years that I have been working with the American Heart Association I have been involved with many of our initiatives. There are valuable tools to educate every age group and make heart health fun too! One of the many initiatives is Go Red for Women. It is celebrating its 10th year and helps to raise awareness of women and heart disease. I remember when my Mom had her congestive heart failure and valve replacement women were just seen as the unlikely, stressed and probably to emotional. When my Mom started showing early symptoms the first thing she was prescribed was an anti-depressant. She was not a 50 year old male that was over weight? She was petite and young. It was not until her and my Father were watching ER, ironic I know, and she suddenly could not catch her breathe that it came to the realization that something was going incredibly wrong. She was taken to the hospital and had a double valve replacement and a triple bypass. She had a zipper and the recovery, well even in the next 15 years she never recovered. I did find it funny that with her mechanical valves that St Jude gave her a warranty card.  

I like most people just did not expect my Mom to have a major heart attack. I didn't expect to have a heart attack and stroke myself and I knew better!

There are disparities in this world. They are gender, racial and personal. This is why education and using resources is so important. I can be dressed in the heart man suit, and I have, and will still see people argue that heart disease is not the number one killer. Did you know that heart disease kills more than all Cancers combined? Most people don't because we don't wear it on the outside. It is known as the silent killer for a reason.

This acronym was shared with me and it really to me defines what Go Red means:

• Get Your Numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Own Your Lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise and eat healthy.
• Realize Your Risk: We think it won’t happen to us, but heart disease kills 1 in 3 women.
• Educate Your Family: Make healthy food choices for you and your family. Teach your kids the importance of staying active.
• Don’t be silent: Tell every woman you know that heart disease is our No. 1 killer. Raise your voice at GoRedForWomen.org.

Change can is happening but it only can happen to spread the word and advocate for the #1 killer of women. Please help me share the message and although red is for the heart, GO RED means even more!

GO RED for your Mother's, sisters, friends, aunts. Imagine if it was yours.

Here's to your heart~D