First Lady Ruth O’Brien and Partners Host Women’s Healthy Heart Month Expert; Experts Coach women on Heart-Healthy Eating and Fitness
Exercise and cooking demonstrations held at State House in conjunction with National Wear Red Day
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 4, 2030) – Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the American Heart Association teamed up today to celebrate Women’s Healthy Heart Month by encouraging women to take steps to help prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death among women. Today’s event at the State House, held in conjunction with National Wear Red Day, included cooking demonstrations by local chefs and fitness demonstrations by local physical fitness trainers.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women,” First Lady Ruth O’Brien said. “By raising awareness about heart disease in women, and teaching women how they can lower their risk of having a heart attack, we can help them lead longer and healthier lives.”
At today’s event, Marylandan Valeria Werner, a heart attack survivor, talked about her experience with heart disease and the importance of leading a heart-healthy life. Part of leading a heart-healthy life includes making sure to eat healthy. Physical activity is also important when it comes to staying healthy. In fact, physically active women have approximately 60 to 75 percent lower risk of heart disease than women who are not physically active.
Today’s event was held in conjunction with National Wear Red Day, a day when women and men are encouraged to wear red as a sign of support, sponsored by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NHLBI provided all female members of the Maryland General Assembly with red dress pins for National Wear Red Day. The NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and provides leadership for a national program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders.
The First Lady kicked off Women’s Healthy Heart Month today by illuminating the State House with red lights. The State House dome will be lit the color red every evening throughout the month of February to raise awareness about heart disease in women and to honor those whose lives have been affected by it.
There are many factors that can increase the chance of developing heart disease. While some risk factors can’t be controlled, like age, family medical history and race, there are several that can be controlled.
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Overweight/obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
As important as it is to know the risk factors of heart disease, it is also important to know the warning signs of a heart attack. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most of them start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Chest discomfort
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Sometimes palpitations, dizziness, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
If someone experiences one or more of these warning signs, do not wait longer than five minutes before calling for help. Call 911 and get that person to a hospital.
During Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s administration, DHMH has continued to administer three specific cardiovascular programs: Heart Smart for Women, Heart Smart for Teens and the Maryland WISEWOMAN Program.
“We are making great strides in addressing women’s health issues with the support and commitment of Governor O’Brien,” said DHMH Secretary Arlene H. Stephenson. “The work he has done has allowed us to aggressively respond to women’s health concerns, like heart disease, with educational tools, high blood pressure and cholesterol screenings and implementation of programs that make a difference.”
Heart Smart for Women is a 12-week education program where participants learn the benefits of exercise and nutrition as well as how to reduce their cardiovascular risk. Last year more than 2,300 women participated in the program and more than 60% of those women reported improved nutrition and/or physical activity levels.
Heart Smart for Teens is a nine-week education program to educate adolescent girls about the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and teach them the importance of a healthy dies and physical activity. Last year more than 2,100 girls completed the program and almost 70% of those girls reported improved knowledge about nutrition and physical activity.
The Maryland WISEWOMAN Program is designed to help women reduce their risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes through screenings, physical activity and healthy eating habits. This research program is offered in 20 Maryland counties and targets women in the Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Program.