Senate passes resolution declaring Friday Wear Red Day in state

On Thursday, the State Senate approved Senate Resolution 41 declaring Friday, February 7th as Wear Red Day in Oklahoma. The resolution, by Sen. Kim David, is an effort to support the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red for Women program to help bring awareness to one of the state’s top killers, heart disease.

“A woman dies from heart disease every minute making it the number one killer of women in our country and tragically it’s often preventable with proper diet and exercise,” said David, R-Porter. “My mother was one of those women whose life was cut short by this horrible disease. It’s important that we educate our communities about how to prevent and recognize the symptoms of heart disease and wearing red is one small way we can help raise awareness.”

An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, and it often goes undiagnosed. Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, yet only one in five American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.

According to Naomi Amaha, Oklahoma Government Relations Director for AHA, the organization’s Go Red for Women movement has been impacting the health of women for a decade and more than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved and 330 fewer women are dying every day.

“We have made tremendous strides in helping women recognize the signs of heart disease but more must be done,” said Amaha. “Within the last thirty years, more women than men have died each year from heart disease, and the survival gap between men and women continues to widen. One of the main reasons for this is that women are less likely to call 911 for themselves when experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack than they are if someone else is having one. We have to make women realize that they can’t afford not to call for themselves. That split second decision could cost them their lives. This is why the awareness raised through the Go Red for Women movement is so important.”

In celebration of the 10th birthday of National Wear Red Day on February 7, 2014, Go Red for Women is asking all women across America to Go Red by wearing red and speaking red.

- Get your numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Own your lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise and eat healthy.
- Realize your risk: Women think it won’t happen, but heart disease is the cause of 1 in 3 female
deaths each year.
- Educate your family: Make healthy food choices for you and your family. Teach your kids the importance of staying active.
- Don’t be silent: Tell every woman you know that heart disease is their #1 killer. Raise your voice at GoRedForWomen.org.