After attending last Friday’s Go Red for Women’s Heart Health Awareness, I was proud that Jacksonville is a part of this lifesaving event. All clad in red, Vicky, Megan and our lucky JMB giveway winner Amy, drove down to the Everbank Club not knowing what to expect. The American Heart Association’s fundraiser literally rolled out the red carpet for us! All the women were dressed in red and the men volunteers doned tuxes giving this event the important feel it deserved.
Local health professionals like the cardiac nurses from Baptist Health and a cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic did everything from take our blood pressure to give a mini-lecture on the gender specific symptoms of heart disease and heart attacks. Did you know that most women will not suspect they are having a heart attack when symptoms present themselves or upon entering an ER complaining of chest pressure, nauseau and fatigue may not be given tests to determine if a heart attack is happening?!?! And would you believe me if I told you research on heart disease and the treatment of women’s heart issues is based on studies done on men? Seems ridiculous but sadly it’s true.
The most important lesson of the day is it is our duty as women to raise awareness about our number one killer in order for lives to be saved. Heart health is a complicated issue but it can be prevented or reversed with simple steps you have heard before like eating well, exercising and getting some rest!!
The Go Red organization has an awesome website on how to get involved and live healthy. Take a few moments and check out the Go Red site!
Thank you, Dole, for hosting us and giving Jax Moms Blog the opportunity to shout from the rooftops about the importance of women’s heart health.
We all need to share this on FB!! Great post ML!
As a cardiac nurse myself, with many years of ED experience, I can say this is all true. But, research and awareness of Women and Heart Disease has made strides. Great Blog topic ladies!