I Heart You

Yes, it's the month where we all receive cards, flowers and candy from that special person in our life. But did you also know that it's also Go Red for Women month?

This is not something we generally like to think about, but more women die from Heart Disease than men. You are more likely to die from heart disease than cancer. Here are the general statistics found on The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women's website:

General statistics

• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
• Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
• An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.
• Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
• Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.
• The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women and men, and are often misunderstood.
• While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
• Only 1 in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
• Women comprise only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies.

Hispanic and African American Women are at an even greater risk.

So this month while we're celebrating the month of love and relationships, stop for a moment and think about how you can take better care of yourself.  Even if you're a very young woman, learn the symptoms of a heart attack: 

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As women we have a tendency to put everyone's needs before our own. We are like the Energizer Bunny never stopping and slowing down, always on the go. This month when you receive that Valentine's Day card or flowers, do your loved ones a favor and get checked for heart disease. Discuss with your doctor your risks and wear red to help make more women aware that heart disease is our number one killer.

Tell me how heart disease has affected your family?  For more information go to: www.goredforwomen.org.

Because it is the month of love and relationships, I'm going to give away this month an ebook copy of Wronged, the first book in my Cuvier Widows series.  Leave a comment and I'll enter you in the drawing.