Our Hearts. Our Choice. S peak Up to Save Lives

ACTIVITY

Of the women who die each year, one in three die from cardiovascular disease. Change the statistic – Make the right choices for your heart.

Our Hearts. Our Choice. Choose to Live!

Choose to Beat Heart Disease How to Choose Heart Health Eat healthy Exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week Quit smoking Lose excess weight Know your family history of heart disease Take the Go Red Heart CheckUp Schedule an appointment with your doctor to understand your risk.

Choose to Know the Facts Cardiovascular disease causes almost 460,000 female deaths a year – and approximately one death per minute 43 million American women are living with cardiovascular disease. 64% of women who die suddenly from coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms of the disease. Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable.

What have we Learned? Heart disease can strike women at any age. Factors leading to heart disease originate in young women and develop over time. Lifestyle changes and the choices you make can prevent or at least postpone heart disease.

Signs of a Heart Attack Chest discomfort Discomfort in upper body Shortness of breath Cold sweat Nausea Lightheadedness

Am I at Risk? Uncontrollable Risk Factors Increasing Age Heredity Race Controllable Risk Factors Cholesterol Blood Pressure Physical (In)activity Obesity and Overweight Type II Diabetes Smoking

CVD in African American and Hispanic Women Nearly half (46%) of all non-Hispanic African-American females have some form of heart disease, stroke or other cardio-vascular disease (CVD). Nearly one-third (37%) of all deaths in Hispanic females are caused by diseases of the heart and stroke.

Choose to Share Your Story Gail shares her story so that others can live.

Choose to eat baked, not fried Choose lean meats Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat, transfat, cholesterol and sodium Eat more fruits and vegetables Find cooking tips and recipes in the Go Red For Women Recipe Collection cookbook available at ShopGoRed.org

Choose to know your risk Online tool to educate women about their heart health and encourage patient-physician dialogue

Choose to Be a BetterU FREE 12-week online program that can help you transform your health with small, simple choices. Tools, tips and information that can add up to a complete heart makeover. 12 weeks of step-by-step guidance on becoming healthy. Guidance to stay on track with the BetterMe Coaching Tool. Long- and short-term goal setting to help provide motivation. Journaling capabilities for tracking achievements.

Choose to Inspire & Connect Sign up and find useful tools at GoRedForWomen.org Become a part of the Go Red Community Share your story of the choices you have made to improve your well-being at GoRedForWomen.org. Unite with over one million women Invite friends to participate in a Go Red Discussion Group

Choose to Take Action Host your own National Wear Red Day – or wear red to show your support Visit GoRedForWomen.org to find a local Go Red event near you Attend a Go Red For Women Luncheon Support the cause through ShopGoRed.com

Choose to Speak Up… SPEAK UP for yourself Tell your family you’ll change your habits and need their support. Ask for heart healthy options for any meal you eat. Ask your doctor for a lipo-protein blood screen and take the GRFW Heart CheckUp Talk with your doctor or nurse to design a personal action plan that works for you and your lifestyle. Enroll in the Go Red BetterU, a free 12 week, heart-health makeover. SPEAK UP for others Tell everyone you know that the #1 killer of women is heart disease. Share your voice to empower others by example. Speak Up at GoRedForWomen.org. Support the Go Red movement by signing up at GoRedForWomen.org Make a donation to GRFW. Support the Heart for Women Act that helps women who do not have insurance. …and help save lives.

Choose to Empower Yourself Visit GoRedForWomen.org Search for heart-healthy recipes Learn your risk for heart disease Take the Go Red Heart CheckUp Sign up for information Register for the Go Red BetterU Take Action!

QUESTIONS? Call SOMC Heart & Vascular Services