Americans urged to 'go red' for hearts

FLORENCE -- Thousands of South Carolina women die from cardiovascular disease every year.

Feb. 5 was the seventh annual national Wear Red Day for Women.

Wear Red Day is an American Heart Association public awareness day urging people to wear something red to bring attention to two of the leading causes of death for women - strokes and heart attacks.

"It's extremely important that women to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke," Sarah Thomas, a registered nurse in Carolinas Hospital System's Cardiac Cath unit, said. "Statistics show that the entire Southeast is plagued by heart disease. Heart disease is responsible for deaths of more women than breast cancer."

Often, the symptoms women experience when having a heart attack are different than those of men.

"It's not always what I call the typical 'movie' scenario where you see the person experiencing massive chest pains and clutching his chest," Thomas said. "The signs, especially in women, can be much more subtle."

Symptoms of a heart attack in women can include chest discomfort in the form of a squeezing or fullness that sometimes moves into the arms; shortness of breath, fatigue, sweating and nausea.

Stroke symptoms for women include sudden numbness in the face, arms or legs, loss of vision, headaches and trouble speaking. All of these symptoms, Thomas said, come on very quickly.

"It's a sudden change or onset," Thomas said. "This isn't something that happens gradually over a long period of time."

Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, a family history of heart disease and age. Two of the best ways women can reduce the risk of heart disease are by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, Thomas said.

Thanks to the National Go Red campaign, the color red and especially the little red dress pin are now symbols of the need for heart disease awareness. The American Heart Association hopes to achieve a 25 percent reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke risk by the year 2010.

In honor of GoRed Day and American Heart Month, Jiffy Lube service centers in Florence will hold special events throughout February to promote heart health and vehicle awareness. Customers can participate in the campaign by donating $3 to Go Red for Women at their local Jiffy Lube service center. In return, customers will receive a "Maintenance Partners for Life" book worth more than $100 in savings.

The Jiffy Lube "Maintenance Partners for Life" campaign is intended to educate people about smart, preventative maintenance for their hearts and vehicles.

"It's important to be vigilant about heart health and vehicle health and simple, preventative steps can go a long way to help keep both performing at their best," Chad Weisbeck, owner of local Jiffy Lubes, said. "I encourage residents of the Pee Dee to help make a positive impact in our own backyard by supporting the 'Maintenance Partners for Life' campaign and join the fight to help prevent heart disease."

For more information about the program, visit http://www.JiffyLubeGoesRed.com.