Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
lhornsby@co.collin.tx.us

February 4, 2004

Collin County Health Services goes red for women

(McKinney, TX) – Collin County Health Services employees will wear red on Friday in honor of the thousands of women killed by heart disease each year. As part of American Heart Month, health organizations across the U.S. are taking part in National Wear Red Day. Each year, 500,000 women die from cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease is the most common. It’s also the number one killer of women.

“We’re wearing red to show our support of this potentially life-saving awareness initiative,” says Collin County Health Authority Dr. Muriel Marshall. “Too often, women ignore heart attack symptoms. Women may have mild chest discomfort and oftentimes wait too long before seeking emergency medical attention. We want women to become familiar with heart attack signs.”

According to the American Heart Association, most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, then goes away and comes back. Symptoms may also include pain or discomfort on one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Women may feel shortness of breath along with or before chest discomfort. Additional signs may include a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

The American Heart Association recommends that women not wait longer than five minutes to alert medical personnel if they show signs of a heart attack.

“Call 911 if you have chest discomfort along with any of these signs,” says Collin County Health Educator Jamie Nicolay. “This is the fastest way to begin potentially life-saving treatment.”

“Healthy eating habits, smoking cessation, healthy weight and daily exercise are crucial to reduce heart attacks and strokes,” says Dr. Marshall.

For more information about heart disease, visit the Collin County website at: www.collincountytexas.gov.

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