Many women believe that they are immune to heart disease and stroke, but unfortunately this is not the case.
Worldwide cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 8.6 million deaths among women annually. It is the largest single cause of mortality, accounting for a third of all deaths in women. In South Africa CVD remains one of the major killers as one in four women will develop some form of heart disease before the age of 60. It is with this in mind that the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA launched the Go Red for Women campaign.
“Most women think they are immune to heart disease,” explains Shân Biesman-Simons, director of Nutrition and Education at the HSFSA. “Women fear breast cancer more than heart disease when in reality heart disease kills six times more women then breast cancer. Even when a woman is having a heart attack she may not be aware of it as the symptoms vary from those experienced by men.”
The Go Red for Women campaign provides women with tips and information on healthy eating, exercise and risk factor reduction, such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management. “Many of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease are preventable. It's a disease of lifestyle. Today's woman has to make time for her work and family, often leaving little time to worry about herself. We want to make women aware of the risks of heart disease now whilst they still have time to change their lives,” says Biesman-Simons.
The primary message driving the Go Red for Women campaign is simple - heart disease kills women. The campaign uses the image of the Red Dress as an international symbol for women and heart disease. In reality it's more then just a Red Dress, it's a Red Alert! Join the Go Red for Women movement and celebrate your heart.
For further information on Go Red for Women, go to www.goredforwomen.co.za.
