National Wear Red Day draws attention to heart health

National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 2.

Together, wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and help save lives. Why? Because losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many, according to the La Salle County Health Department.

February is American Heart Month, a month to spread awareness about the importance of heart health. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in Illinois and in the U.S.

Although heart disease traditionally has been seen as a “man’s disease,” 1 in 3 women’s deaths are a result of heart disease each year. Women also are more likely than men to exhibit signs of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or back and jaw pain.

Heart attacks are life-and-death emergencies in which every second counts, so health officials advise that people know their risks. Factors that might increase the chances of getting heart disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, being overweight, a family history of early heart disease, age (55 or older for women), being physically inactive and smoking.

One step to take to decrease risks of heart disease is to know your body’s cholesterol and blood pressure counts. Controlling weight, being physically active and decreasing stress levels also are beneficial steps.

If anyone experiences any of these symptoms, do not wait before calling for help. Call 911 or get to a hospital right away if experiencing chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, sudden dizziness or lightheadedness, unusual upper body pain (arms, back, jaw), skipped heartbeats, and unusual or unexplained fatigue.

For information about heart disease, call the La Salle County Health Department at 815-433-3366 or visit www.lasallecountyil.gov.