Woman in the Red Dress
A woman in a red dress is striking and it does seem that red is the leading color for charities. (Red), Red Ribbon, Red Dress, all linking charity and fashion and help organizations whose similarity is in raising money and awareness for health issues. (RED) is designed to help fight AIDS in Africa. Red Ribbon raises money for AIDS research and treatment. Red Dress’s purpose is to bring awareness to heart disease in women. February 1st was National Wear a Red Dress Day in support of awareness of heart disease in women. Marie Osmond is their primary spokes woman. She appeared Friday morning on the Today Show wearing a red dress, along with all the other women hosts, and spoke about the organization. Along with wearing actual red dresses everyone wore the red dress pin to demonstrate their support. Much like the red ribbon pin, you can wear your charity support as a fashion statement.

Red Dress Pin

Of course the reason we attach fashion to charity is because it allows us to integrate it into our daily consciousness. The color red is a good choice for initiating action. It is a color of passion. It is a stimulant often raising respiration and blood pressure (which on one side is ironic considering it is being used to support heart heath). Red is a call to action and always instigates a response. And, of course, blood is red so that does make an direct link to our heart.

Heart Disease in women has been far too over looked. It is the number one killer of both men and women in America and needs to be paid attention to. Everyone needs to educate themselves.

Here are some of the Heart Disease facts for women:

  • Heart Disease is the number one killer of women in America
  • 1 in 4 women die of Heart Disease
  • Most women discount Heart Disease as a man’s affliction
  • 38% percent of women, compared with 25% of men, will die within one year of having a heart attack
  • Women of color are in a higher risk group than white women
  • Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long term disability
  • 15-30% of all stroke survivors suffer from serious life long disability
  • The risk of Heart Disease increases with age
  • Low blood levels of “good” cholesterol appear to be a stronger predictor of heart disease death
  • Type 2 Diabetes is a higher risk factor for Heart Disease in women than men
  • Heart Disease is harder to diagnose in women than men

    • *Facts about Heart Disease provided by The American Heart Association

    Early recognition of Heart Attack and Stroke symptoms can make the difference between life and death. What most of us don’t know is that the symptoms can be different between women and men. Women are more likely to have:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Back or jaw pain

    • For a complete list of symptoms go to our Heart Attack and Stoke page.
    If you suspect a heart attack or stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry and minutes really do matter. Certain parts of treatment are time sensitive and if given within a few hours of the onset of symptoms can prevent long term damage.

    As far as taking Aspirin, yes you should. Take 1 aspirin at the onset of symptoms for a Heart Attack or a Stroke. It is also better to chew the aspirin than to swallow it. Chewing it allows it to enter the blood stream faster. The reason aspirin works is because it prevents the formation of platelets which are essential to clotting. If you can’t clot you can’t block an artery and kill part of your heart.

    Measured Apple

    You all know how to help prevent Heart Disease: Eat healthy, exercise, quit smoking, blood pressure and health screenings.

    Here is a list of the 25 Healthiest Foods on the Planet, don’t worry they are yummy!

    Be sexy, be healthy. Go wear a red dress.