Every year, one in three American women dies from it. The Go Red campaign wants to change that.
On Friday, February 25, the American Heart Association's annual Go Red for Women luncheon will spread the word about heart health. Chicago's Go Red for Women event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a town hall-style question-and-answer session featuring physicians and other health care professionals from the Chicagoland area.
You can also visit the exhibition hall, which will include health screenings, prize giveaways and make-up touch-ups. There will also be a silent auction. The luncheon program starts at noon and ABC7's Judy Hsu will host.
Go Red Luncheon:
Friday, February 25, 12 p.m.
Palmer House Hilton, Chicago
Tickets: $250
Call 312-476-6667 or visit ChicagoGoRedforWomen.org
- Consider these statistics:
- More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
- 1 in 3 American women die of heart disease, compared to 1 in 30 women that die of breast cancer.
- 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
- 80 percent of cardiac events in women may be prevented if they make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking.
- Heart attack warning signs for women:
- Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath: This feeling may occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
