NIH encourages women to take charge of their heart health
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011The Heart Truth campaign’s activities inspire heart health action during Heart Month
On Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) The Heart Truth campaign will once again bring the Red Dress to life on the runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, with the debut of the Red Dress Collection 2011. For the first time, the event will be held at Lincoln Center. More than 20 celebrity participants will display the power of the Red Dress, and encourage women to protect their heart health and take action to lower their risk for heart disease.
Heart disease awareness in women has doubled in the last 12 years, and the awareness gap between older and younger women is narrowing. Data also show that women are taking preventive actions. Women who know that heart disease is the leading cause of death are more likely to be physically active and try to lose excess weight.
“Women of all ages are paying attention and choosing to take charge of their heart health,” said Susan Shurin, M.D., acting director of the NHLBI, which has long been at the forefront of women’s heart disease research and the translation of that research into knowledge that directly reaches women. “Women in their 20s and 30s have the power to protect their hearts from later development of disease by adopting simple changes, such as eating well, being physically active, not smoking, and keeping a healthy weight.”
Although heart disease awareness is on the rise, one-third of women still underestimate their own risk for heart disease. Only 16 percent recognize heart disease as the greatest health problem facing women.
To help American women continue to improve their knowledge of heart disease and become further empowered to take action, the NHLBI and its partners will host a number of activities during American Heart Month as part of The Heart Truth campaign.
