| In spite of attempts to educate the public, the | | | | The American Heart Association has launched a |
| National Institutes of Health reports that 45% of | | | | new educational effort called Go Red for Women. |
| US women still do not know that the greatest | | | | They offer an online self-help survey to evaluate |
| health risks are from heart disease and stroke. | | | | risk. However experts say the primary challenge |
| Information that is seemingly in conflict may also | | | | still lies in the fact that women believe that heart |
| be contributing to this lack of awareness. For | | | | disease is not going to affect them personally. |
| example it is been shown that high cholesterol | | | | According to information published on the |
| levels are only 50% predictive of heart attacks. | | | | American Heart Association's own website, type 2 |
| In other words 50% of heart attacks occur in | | | | diabetes substantially increases the risk of heart |
| people that have normal, non-drug influenced | | | | disease and stroke in women. This further |
| cholesterol levels. | | | | emphasizes the need for improved diet, |
| Newer tests recommended by the American | | | | appropriate weight control and physical exercise. |
| Heart Association such as C-reactive protein have | | | | The benefits of these require time to accumulate. |
| been found to be nearly 80% of effective in | | | | Therefore it is critical that all women consider |
| predicting risk of heart attack but have not found | | | | these factors and begin to make improvements |
| her way into mainstream use. | | | | as soon as possible. Waiting until after the onset |
| In the United States cardiovascular disease takes | | | | of symptoms, which might be the first heart |
| one American women's life every 35 seconds. | | | | attack or stroke, may be far too late. |
| And more women in America die coronary heart | | | | With nearly half a million deaths due to heart |
| disease than any other illness. As 64% of heart | | | | disease each year, women cannot ignore this |
| attacks occur in women who had no prior | | | | issue any longer. Improved diet, appropriate use |
| symptoms of poor cardiovascular health, | | | | of dietary supplementation, increased physical |
| prevention and wellness approaches are absolutely | | | | activity and proper preventative medical care can |
| critical in any effort to reduce one's chances of a | | | | help save lives. It all begins with a step in the right |
| heart attack. | | | | direction. |