I am going RED for Women this February.
The Irish Heart Foundation launched its Go Red for Women national fundraising campaign which aims to empower Irish women to look after their heart health while also raising vital funds. So get ready for a deluge of red outfits throughout this post!
According to the Irish Heart Foundation, 1 in 4 women in Ireland will die of cardiovascular disease.
I was shocked to discover that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Ireland and women are almost six times more likely to die from it than breast cancer.
However, 80 per cent of premature death from cardiovascular disease is preventable.
The ‘Go Red for Women’ campaign is championed by five women from around Ireland, each of whom has been affected by cardiovascular disease from heart attack to open-heart surgery and from heart failure to inherited heart conditions. One of the aims of the campaign is to raise awareness of what we can do to keep your heart healthy and to empower women to live longer, healthier lives.
I am always keen to highlight health issues. You may remember my post on Graham’s scare regarding his heart and also check out my post on health checks that are free for Irish women over 50.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR HEART HEALTHY
DIET
- Choose at least five servings of fruit and vegetables every day.
- Avoid saturated fat.
- Eat oily fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel, trout) at least once a week.
- Drink plenty of water (8 glasses a day recommended)
EXERCISE
Staying active is very important.
Walking for 30 minutes at a good pace 5 times a week is recommended. You need to get your heart rate up, so a good pace is needed or walking uphill always works for me.
LIFESTYLE
- If you are a smoker, you need to stop
- Have regular check-ups for cholesterol and blood pressure
- Try to stay a healthy weight.
- Drink less alcohol
- Try to reduce stress and make time for yourself
POSSIBLE INDICATIONS OF HEART ATTACK IN WOMEN
Rather than the classic version of a heart attack where someone is seen clutching their chest, or a pain shooting down the arm, symptoms of a heart attack in women can be quite vague, making it hard to diagnose.
These can include one or some of the following:
- NAUSEA
- TIREDNESS/FATIGUE
- SHORTNESS OF BREATH
- BACK PAIN
- TIGHTNESS IN THE JAW
- INDIGESTION
- ANXIETY
One of the most important messages is to advise women who are experiencing these symptoms not to delay – call 999 for an ambulance and get to the Emergency Department immediately. Irish research shows that one of the reasons many women die from heart attack is that they delay in getting to the Emergency Department.
By Going Red for Women this February, members of the public can support the Irish Heart Foundation’s work in communities across Ireland, raising awareness of and helping to prevent deaths from cardiovascular disease.
The Irish Heart Foundation urges you to support the ‘Go Red for Women’ campaign by organising a red event in February, volunteering on February 14th or donating to the Irish Heart Foundation.
And look at my fabulous stylish sisters who joined me in going red for heart health. Check out their posts to see what stories they share.
Cindy is on instagram @cindyscurry
Michele is on instagram @seechelestyles
Robin helloim50ish
Andy pearlsandpantsuits
Emma thestylesplash
Julie fashiontrendsandfriends
Suzanne asksuzannebell
Nancy nancysfashionstyle
Nicole highlatitudestyle
Nina sharingajourney
LOVE YOUR HEART….LOVE YOURSELF THIS FEBRUARY….
Hilda,
These are all great reminders that we all need to heed! Everything single symptom is one that we all may experience at one time or the other. And we need to be aware and take notice to be sure that it is not a serious warning.
I have know women who have been told that they have had a heart attack in the past. They didn’t know it.
Rosemary
Ah thanks Rosemary. Appreciate your support. xx
Great informative post!
Thanks Nancy xx
Love all the red outfits, especially the red trouser suit!
And, this was also such a helpful post – I love all the lifestyle tips and the signs to look out for
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Thanks Julia. I was surprised by the statistics.
Hilda,
Love all the great information you’ve shared regarding heart health! I have to have my heart checked annually to ensure that my Scleroderma isn’t impacting my heart.
Love our monthly collaborations and especially seeing everyone’s interpretation!
Just an FYI…my link to my website isn’t working.
Julie xo
Hilda,
I am so glad you wrote about women’s risk of a heart attack and heart disease!
Such wonderful information!
You look wonderful in all your red glory my friend!
Hugs,
Robin
Thanks Robin xxx
I had not heard of the Irish Heart Foundation before. But these are great tips and reminders. And oh my gosh, that berry parfait! 👍Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading Kristine.
It’s great that you’re getting the word out about heart disease and how prevalent it is in women. It’s the leading cause of death for women in the USA too. Great tips on healthy behaviors to aid in prevention. Love all your pretty outfits in this post too.
xx Jenifer
Thanks for reading Jenifer. It was the fact that the signs of heart attack in women are different that amazed me.
Lovely in red! I especialy like the 2 dresses.
I tend to forget about heart disease and women since I have been closer to men who have either died from heart related problems or have had to have heart surgery. I do need to take better care of myself as I get closer to 50.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks for reading. Yes I was surprised by the statistics.
What an interesting post, thanks for sharing this valuable information. I’m getting my cholesterol checked next week. Grat vibrant red outfits Hun. Jacqui x
There is so much more to look out for as we age…thanks Jacqui for reading xx
Well done Hilda for highlighting the risk of heart attack for women. You and your blogger sisters show how sassy and elegant red can be! Thanks for joining #WowOnWednesday.
Thanks Gail for reading xxx
I’m so pleased that I chose today to pop over and read your blog Hilda. Those statistics are surprisingly high – I somehow thought that breast cancer would be our biggest threat. It’s good to have those warning signs laid out too as I wasn’t aware of all of those.
Thanks for a great feature Hilda. Very informative!
Cheers
Anna xx
I was surprised too Anna. Thanks for reading xx
Lots of gorgeous red outfits here Hilda. I’m surprised at the statistics for the girls in Irland. I’m quite healthy considering. I don’t drink and I eat healthily but I do enjoy the odd cigarette! Naughty xx
Well two out of three ain’t bad!