Each year on the first Friday of the month, women everywhere take part in National Go Red for Women Day by wearing red as a sign of their support for the campaign, initiated by the American Heart Association to raise awareness that heart disease is THE number one killer for women. Once again Brandon Regional Hospital will be taking part to support the campaign this Friday, Feb. 5 in an effort to encourage women to take control of their health and to continue providing heart health education to the community.

Throughout the year, Brandon Regional Hospital and our sister HCA West Florida hospitals work together with the American Heart Association to teach women about ways they can lower their risk of heart disease. The facts are simple. 

• Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, claims more women’s lives then the next seven causes of death combined – nearly 500,000 a year!
• The number of women who die each year from cardiovascular disease is greater than twice as many from all forms of cancer put together.
• Women account for more than 60% of all stroke deaths, and those who smoke, take birth control pills, are pregnant or have high blood pressure are at a greater risk for stroke.
• With just a few simple life behavioral changes, such as fitting a daily walk, bike ride or dance class into your schedule, adding more whole grains and fresh fruit to your diet and quitting smoking — you can begin to significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.
• Higher blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure and you increase your chance of higher than normal blood pressure simply by being 20 pounds overweight, menopausal, having a family history of high blood pressure or by being pregnant, especially in the final trimester! By working to add more heart-healthy recipes into your menu, staying as active as possible and finding healthy, positive ways to manage stress, you can lower your blood pressure and help your heart work a little less strenuously.

To learn more about Go Red for Women, go to www.goredforwomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART. For a physician referral or more information on heart and vascular care at Brandon Regional Hospital, call 1-877-HCA-DOCS.

Remind your mom, your sisters, daughters, co-workers and best friends. And remember to wear your red this Friday as you take steps to better educate yourself and your family about leading a heart-healthy life.