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Home | Departments | Health Care Services | Health Focus | American Heart Month
American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month

We all think of hearts and flowers when Valentine's Day approaches. February is also a good time to think of your own heart. February is American Heart Month and heart health is a topic that should be on everyone's minds. Heart disease is still the nation's #1 killer. So take some time to explore the following resources…your heart will thank you.

Did You Know?

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Texas and the United States
  • CVD is the #1 killer of men and women
  • CVD accounts for 2 out of every 5 deaths
  • CVD claims more than 55,000 lives per year in Texas

Women and Cardiovascular Disease

  • In 2000, CVD claimed the lives of 505,661 females; cancer (all forms combined) 267,009
  • While men's heart-disease mortality rates have improved, women's have not. Thirty-eight percent of women compared to 25 percent of men will die within one year of a heart attack
  • Clinicians and patients often attribute chest pains in women to noncardiac causes, leading to misinterpretation of their condition.
  • Women are underrepresented in heart-related research studies
  • Women have a greater tendency to have atypical symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, or pain in the neck, jaw, arm or abdominal area.
  • Women may avoid or delay seeking medical care, perhaps out of denial or not being aware of both typical and atypical heart attack symptoms.
  • Some diagnostic tests and procedures may not be as accurate in women, so physicians may avoid using them. That means the disease process resulting in a heart attack or stroke may not be detected in women until later, with more serious consequences.

What can you do to participate in American Heart Month?

Make at least one lifestyle change to reduce your chance of coronary heart disease. Some changes may include:
Diet - Lower fat and increase fiber by using these simple substitutions!
  • Be sparing with salad dressings. If you are eating out, ask for the salad dressing on the side.
  • Broil or grill meat and fish instead of frying or sautéing in butter.
  • Change to reduced fat versions of your favorite foods. For example, use low-fat mayonnaise on your next sandwich. Or better yet, replace the mayo with mustard.
  • Add fiber to your diet - choose whole wheat breads and pasta, replace white rice with brown rice.
  • Substitute skim milk in your next latte and save 14 grams of fat! (16 oz serving)
  • Stock your pantry with healthy snacks such as fruit and pre-cut veggies.
  • For more great tips and recipes visit www.deliciousdecisions.org

Incorporate Physical Activity into Your Daily Life
  • Yardwork - work in the garden, mow the lawn or rake up leaves
  • Take 5-10 minutes out of your lunch break and go for a walk
  • Use the stairs instead of taking the elevator
  • Park farther away at the mall or grocery store and walk the extra distance
  • Stand up while talking on the phone
  • Walk down the hall to speak to someone instead of using the telephone or email
  • Find an activity that you enjoy and enlist friends for support - tennis, badmitton, walking, running, ballroom dance - and stick with it.
  • For more great tips at staying active, go to:
    Making Physical Activity a Part of Your Life
Cut back or quit smoking

Check blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels and keep them under control


Events

Go Red for Women Conference and Game of Hearts Luncheon
February 1, 2006, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Westin- Galleria, 13340 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240
Events include a heart health seminars, health screenings, silent auction, jewelry fashion show, and game of hearts. For more information refer to the Go Red For Women Conference and Game of Hearts Luncheon event description or contact Melissa Cicon at 214-712-1341 or Melissa.Cicon@heart.org.

The Heart Truth at Stonebriar Centre
February 1 - 4, 2006
Visit the Customer Service Center (upper level Center Court) for your free Red Dress pin. Pick up your free The Heart Truth brochure at mall entrances near upper level Macy's or Foley's or the Customer Service Center (upper level Center Court). Join Stonebriar Centre and Get Fit Frisco! on Saturday, February 4 for the Heart Truth Program Kick-Off with a red balloon launch!

Foley's Goes Red for Women
February 1 - 20, 2006
Foley's Department Store invites men and women to join their associates in wearing red. To further the effort to reduce heart disease in women, Foley's invites their customers to make a $1 donation to the Go Red for Women campaign. Donations can be made with or without a purchase at cash registers in Foley's stores beginning February 1 - February 20.

National Wear Red Day for Women
February 3, 2006
Everyone is encouraged to wear red in support of all women who have been touched by cardiovascular disease. For more information on how to get your company involved in supporting heart disease awareness and challenging women to take control of their health, visit the American Heart Assocation website at americanheart.org or call 888-MY-HEART. Go Red!

Go Red Power Breakfast
February 3, 2006, 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75201
Join Dallas's top women executives at the 2006 Go Red Power Breakfast presented by Medical City and Fullbright & Jaworski, L.L.P. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. with keynote speaker Christine Cashen. For more information refer to the Go Red Power Breakfast event description or contact Debra Reed at 214-712-1341 or Melissa.Cicon@heart.org.

Get Fit Frisco!
February 11 - April 21, 2006
The Get Fit Frisco! program kicks off on Saturday, February 11! Events run from Saturday February 11th through midnight Friday April 21st. See www.getfitfrisco.com for more details.

2006 Côtes du Coeur International Fine Wine Auction and Celebrity Chef Dinner
May 13, 2006, 6:00 pm - 1:00 am
The Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion, 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207
The Côtes du Coeur International Fine Wine Auction and Celebrity Chef dinner is of the largest fine wine auctions in the Southwest. Côtes du Coeur, translated as "vineyards of the heart", was founded in 1992 to raise money for cardiovascular research and heart health programs. 1,200 guests, 12 of the area's most celebrated chefs, and 24 of the world's finest wineries will come together for one spectacular evening of gourmet delicacies and fabulous wine. The premier fine wine auction features impossible-to-find vintages, oversized bottlings of wine, fabulous wine tours, exclusive trips, exquisite jewelry, unique works of art and more. For more information refer to the Côtes du Coeur event description or contact Leslie Currie at 214-712-1319 or Leslie.Currie@heart.org.

Lobby Day 2006
May 15 - 17, 2006
Your Congressperson's Office, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC 20500
This annual visit to Capitol Hill is a great opportunity for AHA volunteers and staff to impact important legislation that is critical to eliminating heart disease and stroke. For more information refer to the Lobby Day 2006 event description or contact your local AHA Advocacy staff.


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