Color Wheel Pro says red is “the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination, passion, desire, and love. Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. In heraldry, red is used to indicate courage.”
For these reasons, the signature color of the American Heart Association is red. Not only is it the color of our hearts, it is an immediate attention-getter, which is required to bring awareness to the #1 cause of death in women: Heart Disease.
The first Friday in February, is Wear Red Day®, or Go Red for Women®, when women (and some men), wear red as a show of solidarity in the battle against heart disease in women; the measure of courage of those in the fight for their lives; and passion to continue improving our lifestyles to reduce the risk of this disease affecting you or someone you love.
You probably didn’t realize that 1 in 3 women will succumb to cardiovascular disease this year. That’s one woman every 80 seconds. It’s difficult to wrap my mind around such an astounding number. However, I only had to look amongst my team members to find a woman who discovered last year, that her Mom has this condition. You probably know someone, too.
If you or someone you know is living with heart disease, it is probable that managing activities of daily living has become more of a struggle than ever before. Perhaps, you or a female friend or family member has survived a heart attack. Even though the prognosis is favorable, your outlook is not. Wear Red Day® may be the perfect opportunity to make a personal commitment to self and offer encouragement and support to others. Through education, it’s possible to learn how to make critical changes to lead a more active, heart-healthy lifestyle, with a new and improved attitude!
The AHA recommends women “know your numbers.” That means scheduling what they refer to as a “Well-Woman” visit with your primary care provider. By monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI). By staying informed and monitoring these numbers, it’s possible to stay ahead of cardiovascular conditions.
Risk factors are the usual suspects: smoking, diabetes, obesity, lack of dental care, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy diets rich in sugary, junk, fast, fried, and processed foods. Addressing these factors early can prevent the onset of heart disease and cardiovascular issues.
Heart-healthy choices include knowing your numbers with a Well-Woman visit to your PCP; burning at least as many calories as consumed each day; choosing fresh fruits and vegetables in vibrant colors for a higher nutrient content, and whole grains instead of products containing white flour; avoid high-sodium, high-sugar, processed and fast foods whenever possible; increase level of daily/weekly activity and/or exercise*; and by all means, stop using tobacco products.
Additionally, statistics reported by the AHA indicate those who participate on the Wear Red Day®, are more likely to make positive changes in their lifestyles to reduce their risk of heart and affect changes in the lives of those they love! I encourage you to join millions of us who will Go Red for Women® and wear red, Friday, Feb 2, to bring awareness to heart disease in women.
I am happy to discuss what my team of caregivers and I can do to help support you in good heart health, as well as assisting with in-home care when heart disease hampers activities of daily living. We offer transportation assistance, meal preparation, companion care, light housekeeping and so much more!
Home Helpers® is honored to have been awarded the Provider of Choice 2017 award from Home Care Pulse, and we proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson and surrounding areas. Contact me today for a FREE consultation to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® We are Making Life Easier℠ (727) 240-3059
* Always remember to check with your physician before starting a new diet or exercise routine.
Sources: American Heart Association – Go Red for Women®
American Heart Association – Lifestyle Recommendations