Price supports campaign to fight heart disease in women

By Sun Advocate

A new holiday is to be observed in the city of Price.
During the Jan. 24 council meeting, Mayor Joe Piccolo proclaimed Feb. 2 as National Wear Red Day in Price.
The event is aimed at promoting heart health while taking action to fight women’s heart disease. Local residents, men and women alike, are encouraged to wear red in support of the campaign.
According to a Southeastern Utah Health District press release, heart disease is the number one killer of women in Utah.
In 2005, heart disease and stroke killed seven women every day. Nationwide, one of every 2.5 women dies from hear disease and stroke.
“We can no longer ignore heart disease,” said Dave Cunningham, district health officer. “Too often in Utah, women are so concerned with their families that they forget to take care of themselves,” continued Cunningham continued.
The press release stresses that, while awareness is important, it’s time for women to take action now to protect their hearts while maintaining healthier lifestyles.
To that end, the “go red” campaign encourages women not only to join the movement, but to take steps to protect their hearts.
To stimulate heart disease and stoke awareness, the local health district is organizing several 2007 programs and initiatives with the department’s partners.
On Feb. 2, the public health district will host a National Wear Red Day luncheon at the College of Eastern Utah Jennifer Leavitt Student Center from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The guest speaker for the luncheon will be Mary Nichols of KUTV.
Castle Heights Elementary is also hosting a “Go Red for Women and Jump Rope for Heart” event on Feb. 8. This year Castle Heights has set a goal of raising more than the $5,268 that was raised by the students last year.
The Downtown Alive Association is planning to have discount savings and health related screenings at participating main street businesses on Feb. 9 and 10.
“Men are more than welcome at these screenings as long as they are wearing red,” said Price city councilmember Kathy Hanna-Smith. The Price merchants are planning to paint the town red with lights and decoration on these days.
To make sure individuals are up to date on the advantages of early intervention The American Heart Association (AMA) and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have launched a new “Act in Time” campaign to increase people’s awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 911 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms.

According to the AMA’s Web site heart attack and stroke are life and death emergencies and every second counts. Today heart attack and stoke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. Clot busting drugs can stop some hear attacks and stokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be affective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after the heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear.
Coronary heart disease is America’s number one killer. Stroke is number three and a leading cause of serious disability. That is why it’s so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs and know how to respond quickly if warning signs occur.
The AMA reports that some heart attacks are sudden and intense during these no one doubts what is happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait to long before getting help. The following are signs that can signal a heart attack is happening.
•Chest Discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
•Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
`•Shortness of breath. This may occur with or without chest discomfort.
•Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
According to the site women experience symptoms other than chest pain, particularly shortness of breath more than men at the onset of a heart attack. The site further stipulates that an individual should wait no longer than five minutes to call 911 or seek a hospital at the onset of these symptoms.
Stroke warning signs include,
•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
•Sudden confusion trouble speaking or understanding.
•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
•Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
•Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
According to the SEUDHD the best way to combat heart disease and stroke is to love your heart. The press release states that an individual should learn to connect with and love this vital organ by knowing personal risk factors including cholesterol, blood pressure and weight. They also recommend visiting at health care provider on a regular basis, eating a healthier diet and increasing exercise.
Go red for women captures the energy, passion and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease. “I would like to see everyone come and out and support this important event,” concluded Price city mayor Joe Piccolo.