 | Guest blog by our amazing sister, sister-in-law, and friend Melissa Murer Corrigan, Host MelisRxScripts podcast |
February is American Heart Month and on February 5, we celebrate National Wear Red Day! We wear red to raise awareness on cardiovascular disease and to save lives. Did you know that President Lyndon B. Johnson is among the millions of people in the country who have had a heart attack? He issued the first February American Heart Month proclamation in 1964 and and we have celebrated American Heart Month every year since then. The Go Red for Women movement started in 2004 in an effort to educate and empower women on heart disease. Heart disease was widely known as the #1 cause of death for men at that time. However, it was not widely known that it was also the #1 cause of death for women. Cardiovascular Disease (CVS) causes 1 in 3 women’s death each year. In fact, one woman dies from CVS every 80 seconds and Heart Disease is the #1 killer of women taking more lives annually than all cancers combined.
I love to be involved in the community and for many years, I have served as a volunteer with the American Heart Association. Passionate about leadership and encouraging more women leaders, I also helped launch the empowering University of Iowa’s Zada Cooper Leadership Symposium. Since the beginning of my career as a pharmacist, I've been enthusiastic about helping people learn about their health and making good health choices. Getting involved with the American Heart Association was a way for me to help champion good heart health and support women in leadership. In 2019, “my why” changed to family when my Mom had open heart surgery. She has since made a full recovery. Our family’s experience and the cardiovascular impacts from COVID19 reinforced the importance of cardiovascular research and innovation.
In 2020, I served as Chair for the Iowa City Circle of Red, an engaged passionate group of people dedicated to making an impact in our community's fight against heart disease and stroke. The Iowa City Go Red for Women chapter hosts special events for the Circle of Red including a wonderful Virtual Fall Tour with the highly creative and talented Kaleb Wyse. Check out Kaleb on Instagram @wyseguide and Facebook!
Progress is being made! The good news is 80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education. Since the onset of Go Red for Women more women are taking charge of their heart health through healthy lifestyle choices, knowing their health numbers, and being familiar with the signs and symptoms of heart disease that are specific to women. And the results are telling. About 90,000 fewer women are dying from heart disease and stroke each year because of these efforts. Our ultimate goal is to the move the needle so that we are no longer the # 1 cause of death in women.
Progress is being made! The good news is 80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education. Since the onset of Go Red for Women more women are taking charge of their heart health through healthy lifestyle choices, knowing their health numbers, and being familiar with the signs and symptoms of heart disease that are specific to women. And the results are telling. About 90,000 fewer women are dying from heart disease and stroke each year because of these efforts. Our ultimate goal is to the move the needle so that we are no longer the # 1 cause of death in women.
My sister, Meg wore red last year! Join us on National #WearRedDay and tag your photos of you wearing red #messymommies! Thank you for taking care of your heart!
Melissa
Melissa
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