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"My husband proclaimed February Women's Healthy Heart Month to raise
awareness that heart disease is not just a disease that strikes
older men, it's America's number one killer of women," Mrs.
Blagojevich said. "As a woman and mother of two daughters, I feel
that this issue needs as much attention as breast cancer. I am
pleased to collaborate again this year with the American Heart
Association in our continued efforts to get women to lead healthier
and happier lives." Friday was
National
Wear Red Day, which is sponsored in part by the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute. As part of its effort to raise visibility
about the importance of heart-healthy living, the institute
encouraged women and men to wear red and provided all female members
of the Illinois General Assembly with red dress pins for the
observance. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is part of
the National Institutes of Health and provides leadership for a
national program on diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung and
blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders.
ABC Chicago's health reporter,
Sylvia Perez, emceed the program at the Thompson Center.
Cardiologist Annabelle Volgman, M.D., a specialist in women's heart
disease from RUSH Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center and an
American Heart Association board member, provided the audience with
facts about heart disease in women and ways to minimize risk of
illness. The lunchtime crowd also got their hearts pumping with the
help of fitness experts from the Eastbank Club, who led an exercise
demonstration and gave advice on how a busy woman can find ways to
stay physically active.
According to Illinois data, nearly
22,000 females died in 2002 of cardiovascular disease, which
includes heart disease and strokes. Heart disease includes coronary
artery disease, congestive heart failure, angina and other
conditions.
Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, director of
the Illinois Department of Public Health, called on all state
agencies to participate in National Wear Red Day to promote
cardiovascular health. The Department of Public Health is kicking
off a 12-week fitness program that challenges employees of the
department to walk 10,000 steps a day toward improved cardiovascular
health.
"I would invite all state agencies
and workplaces to begin a similar program to promote the overall
benefits of exercise," Dr. Whitaker said. "Heart disease used to be
thought of as a man's disease, and now we know it is a major health
concern among women, with African-American women being particularly
vulnerable."
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Heart
attack warning signs include:
- Chest discomfort or pain in the
center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes.
- Spreading pain to one or both
arms, back, jaw or stomach.
- Cold sweats and nausea.
Women are more likely than men to
have such symptoms as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and
back or jaw pain.
While
certain risk factors are uncontrollable, including age, family
history or race, there are some things everyone can do to prevent
heart disease:
- Control blood pressure,
cholesterol and weight.
- Avoid smoking.
- Reduce stress.
- Engage in at least 30 minutes of
physical activity most days.
- Consult physician about heart
attack risks.
- Eat a nutritious and balanced
diet.
Over the past two years, the first
lady has worked tirelessly to promote initiatives that help Illinois
families, focusing special attention on women and children's health
issues. In addition to her work for the National Wear Red Day for
the second straight year, the first lady also led an effort to
increase breast cancer awareness and prevention in connection with
National Mammography Day. Most recently, the first lady was honored
by ORBIS International for spearheading the Illinois Pediatric
Vision Awareness Initiative -- the first state-sponsored campaign in
the United States to specifically target amblyopia, or lazy eye, in
children.
For additional information about
National Wear Red Day or the walking challenge and other healthy
living resources, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health's
site at www.idph.state.il.us
or call 1 (888) 522-1282.
[News release from the
governor's office]
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