(WFN) Have you noticed those bright red dresses around town? They are everywhere these days, a symbol of the fight against women’s heart disease. The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute designated the red dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease in 2002.The first observance of National Wear Red Day was in 2004. Today those little red dresses are ubiquitous, as pins, bumper stickers, posters and, well, dresses. The symbol has really caught on and helped to generate awareness of a growing problem.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Nearly 700,000 deaths occur annually, and women account for 51 percent of those deaths. Usually thought of as a male problem, the rate of deaths from heart disease in women has grown largely to a lack of knowledge and an antiquated attitude toward women and fitness. According to Molly Sivia, Madison County, IL Health Department Health Educator, “it (heart disease) wasn’t seen as a women’s health issue until recently.”
Today’s woman, however, is more aware than ever of the benefits of exercise and a healthful diet and woman’s magazines are promoting a more fit image than they had before. There’s nothing more important for a healthy heart than regular aerobic exercise. Women are joining gyms, spas and health clubs in record numbers and are recommended to be involved in some kind of strenuous aerobic workout no less than 2 and ½ hours a week. Combine your workouts with a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in fats and you have a lifestyle that supports heart health. Add to that protein from lean chicken and fish for a winning formula and a healthy heart. The Center for Disease Control recommends that you also limit your alcohol, sugar and salt content as well. [http://www.cdc.gov/family/tips/]
In addition to yoga, aerobics and Pilates, more and more women are stretching their boundaries with boxing, martial arts and weight lifting. Suddenly it’s chic to be fit! Women are also competitively engaged in spinning and cycling as a means to get fit. There so many ways to get the training and workout you need.
If you want to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you take in so really push yourself when you get into whatever work routine you decide on. It’s not important what you do – it’s important that you do it! Remember, heart disease is not a given. You can do something to prevent this leading killer and at the same time look and feel great.
Tags: congenital heart disease, coronary heart disease, heart disease
