Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women in Alabama
Rachael M. Wilson
Birmingham, AL – (February 3, 2015) – On Friday, February 6th, millions of Americans will wear red to raise awareness for the number one killer of women and the American Heart Association hopes Alabamians will follow suit. Alabama is no stranger to heart disease and stroke, with the 2nd highest death rate from cardiovascular diseases in the country behind Mississippi. The AHA in Birmingham is urging residents to wear red this Friday to start a conversation with coworkers, family and friends about the primary health threat to both women and all Alabamians.
“By wearing red, people are not only showing their commitment to heart-health, but they’re also educating others about a disease that affects far too many people in Alabama,” said Rachael Wilson, Communications Director for the AHA in Alabama.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease and stroke are responsible for approximately 30% of all deaths each year in Metro Birmingham, 35% of all deaths each year in West Alabama, and 32% of all deaths each year in Northeast Alabama. The most staggering truth is that 80% of heart disease and stroke is preventable.
“Our hope is to educate people that heart disease is the number one killer in America and the number one killer of women, but also that most cases can be prevented by eating a healthy diet as well as exercising regularly,” said Nan Priest, Chair of Birmingham Go Red for Women and Executive Vice President of St. Vincent’s Health System. “It’s also important to visit your doctor regularly and monitor critical numbers such as blood pressure, blood glucose and weight.”
St. Vincent’s Health System is the local sponsor of Birmingham Go Red for Women – a movement devoted to fighting heart disease and stroke in women. According to the AHA, heart disease is the number one killer of women with 1 in 3 women dying each year from heart disease and stroke. St. Vincent’s Health System will show their support for National Wear Red Day by physically lighting up their Birmingham and East campuses red on Friday night. The Summit Lifestyle Center, Children’s of Alabama and Regions Field also plan to light up red to help raise awareness. Local businesses who support the American Heart Association such as Healthsouth, Regions and Motion Industries are urging their employees to Wear Red on Friday.
To learn more about National Wear Red day, visit the American Heart Association online. To track National Wear Red Day in Birmingham, follow the hashtag #BhamGoRed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
