Many participate in Nat'l Wear Red Day

(FOX Providence) - Friday, February 5th is National Wear Red Day to bring attention to heart disease, which while preventable, is still the number one killer of women.

Dr. Athena Poppas and Heart Disease survivor Laurie Stephenson joined The Rhode Show to talk more about the 'Go Red' movement .

Q: What is National Wear Red Day?

On February 5th, 2009, the American Heart Association asks women to show their support for the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red. It’s an easy, powerful way to speak up and show the world you passionately support Go Red For Women®, the American Heart Association’s solution to save women’s lives.

Q: Why do Go Red For Women and other red dress campaigns specifically target women instead of both men and women?

In the past, the public has primarily associated heart disease with men. Historically, men have also been the basis for research used to develop treatment guidelines and programs. This led to a lowered awareness level among women and healthcare providers. Only 65 percent of women realize heart disease is their No. 1 killer (up from 34 percent in 2000) and less than half can identify healthy levels for cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. Because approximately 450,000 women die each year from cardiovascular disease, women need to know they are at risk so they can take action to protect their health.

Q: I’ve heard that there are heart attack symptoms specific to women. What should I be looking out for?

Common symptoms women may experience when having a cardiac event include:
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.
Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders.
Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.
Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin.
Paleness or pallor.
Increased or irregular heart rate.
Feeling of impending doom.

Q: Is there anything I can do about heart disease?

Heart disease is largely preventable. In fact, research shows that 80 percent of cardiac events in women may be prevented if women make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking. You can CHOOSE to beat heart disease by:
Knowing your numbers.
Visiting your doctor once a year.
Getting 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Stopping smoking.
Eating healthy.
Learning more at GoRedForWomen.org