Will You Wear Red This Friday?

It's a simple idea, if you have a woman, or women, in your life who are important to you, show your support and help raise awareness about women and heart disease by wearing red this Friday, National Wear Red for Women Day.

Over the past 10 years, since the beginning of this program, 285 fewer women die each day from heart disease and the number of women who are now aware of their number one killer has gone from 22% to well over 50%.

February is, of course, heart month and the American Heart Association wants to make sure that we know a few facts. Every year, 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke, that's about one woman every minute.  But it doesn’t have to be that way, because 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.

According to Go Red For Women, more than 2,200 Americans die of heart disease every day.  Women, who survive a heart attack, fare worse afterwards than men do, dealing with more physical complications and limitations leading to a lower quality of life. The American Heart Association encourages all women to know their numbers blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI, your heart depends on it.

If you’re a woman, or if you have a woman, or women, in your life that you care about, make sure you know these facts and also remember that you can join us at the Dutchess Walk on Saturday, March 25, at it's brand new location on the campus of Marist College, with it’s beautiful views of the Hudson River; or the Ulster Walk on Sunday, April 2, once again at SUNY New Paltz.

Here's to more healthy hearts and longer lives.