Every year on the first
Friday of February, the American Heart Association (AHA) draws national public
awareness to National Wear Red Day®. This is to draw attention to the
two leading killers of women – heart disease and stroke.
The Mayo Clinic describes
heart (cardiovascular) disease as conditions that involve narrowed or blocked
blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina), or stroke.
Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart's muscle, valves,
or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.
According to the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, heart disease is caused by smoking (including
secondhand smoke), high amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood, high
blood pressure, high amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or
diabetes, or blood vessel inflammation. A stroke occurs if the flow of
oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. Without oxygen, brain
cells start to die after a few minutes. Sudden bleeding in the brain also can
cause a stroke if it damages brain cells.
Statistics from the American Heart Association show that one of every three female
deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease or stroke. About 2,200
Americans die from heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases
every day. That is one death every 39 seconds! The time has come to recognize
the serious risks these diseases pose. Join the AHA, GRMC, and the nation by
wearing red on Friday, Feb. 5, to raise awareness.
#GRMCCares #NationalWearRedDay
#HaveAHeart
No comments:
Post a Comment