Go Red for Women—Because Heart Attacks Aren’t Just for Dudes

Credit: Women Go Red, American Heart Association

We recently did a piece for the American Heart Association on five fitness tips to keep your ticker healthy and happy, but seeing that it’s Love Yo’Self Week and all (Woot! Woot!), we wanted to do even more. Because, ladies, heart attacks don’t just happen to the dudes. They happen to us. At all ages. And all races. And all circumstances. And the symptoms are quite a bit different from the guys.

And just like your middle school teacher used to show you a fun video rather than just listing a bunch of facts that might make your eyes glaze over, we’re going to do the same. So grab a cup of green tea and settle in for this cute and important little three-minute video starring one of our fave funny ladies, Elizabeth Banks!

Can’t watch video at work? We’ve got you covered! No excuses…

Facts About Heart Disease

• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women age 20 and over.
• More women die of heart disease than the next three causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
• One in three American women die of cardiovascular disease, compared to one in 30 women who die of breast cancer.
• Currently, some 8 million women in the U.S. are living with heart disease, yet only one in six American women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
• Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
• In women, heart disease is too often a silent killer—less than a third of women in a recent survey reported any early warning signs such as chest pain or discomfort before a heart attack, compared with most men.
• Only slightly more than half of women are likely to call 911 if experiencing symptoms. And yet, 79 percent of women said that they would call 911 if someone else was having a heart attack.

Want to do more? Learn more about women and heart disease at GoRedForWomen.org and follow ’em on Facebook. And be sure to share this post and video with all your lady friends! Let’s spread the heart-health love together! —Jenn