Thursday, February 3, 2011

Special Day Tomorrow-February 4

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) joins the American Heart Association (AHA) tomorrow, February 4th, in its nationwide campaign “Go Red for Women”, to encourage Americans to wear red in support of women’s heart health awareness.  Anyone can participate by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, scarf, tie or Red Dress pin.  Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women 20 years and older at a rate of one woman every minute. 

More women die of heart disease than the next 4 causes of death combined, including cancer. According to a recent policy statement published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, the cost to treat heart disease in the United States will triple by 2030.  “Unhealthy behaviors and unhealthy environments have contributed to a tidal wave of risk factors among many Americans,” said Nancy Brown, American Heart Association CEO. “Early intervention and evidence-based public policies are absolute musts to significantly reduce alarming rates of obesity, hypertension, tobacco use and cholesterol levels.”

To empower women with the knowledge they need to take charge of their health, the AHA has created the “Heart360” http://www.heart360.org/Default.aspx tool to help Americans take steps to change their behavior and reach personal health goals.  This online health management system helps track and monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, weight, physical activity and medications. 

McHenry County Department of Health offers cardiovascular screenings by appointment at 815-334-4510. Show your commitment to improving health and saving lives. Wear Red on February 4th. For more information, visit the American Heart Association’s website at http://www.heart.org/.

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