By Karole Passmore

Oops…yesterday February 4th was National Wear Red Day in honor of fighting heart disease in women–and I missed it.  This campaign, which started in 2004, to raise awareness of the growing number of women who die from heart disease each year, highlights ways to prevent the disease.

What used to be a predominantly male disease decades ago has seen a major rise in the female population–now weighing in as the number one killer of women –ahead of cancer.  Poor eating habits, little exercise and stress along with smoking has contributed to this unfortunate gain in numbers of women who die each year from heart problems.

Horseshoe Pitching- an excellent exercise

Simple tips on reducing your risk up to 80% are as follows:

Exercise: Walk, run, swim, do aerobics, ride bikes, pitch horseshoes any exercise that will raise your heart rate and sustain it at your goal rate is beneficial.  Even 10 minute exercises throughout the day add up to one major work out according to the American Heart Association.

Eat Healthy: Fiber is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to limit chances of heart disease (fiber bars, and supplements as well as high fiber foods).  Also eating lean meats or going Vegetarian help a great deal.  Making your vegetable portions double or triple the size of meat portions on your plate is a healthy habit.  Fruits and other healthy foods as snacks are a better heart choice than chips or greasy foods.  Simple rule: bake don’t fry.

Quit Smoking. Enough said and we all know why.  But if you are uncertain, smoking constricts the vessels in your heart setting you up for a future attack.

Becky Codiano Giving A Chair Massage After The 5K Run at Cope Environmental Last Fall

Limit Stress: Easier said than done sometimes, especially today with women trying to multitask so much in their lives.  But it is a very important factor.  Yoga, biofeedback instruction, massage, deep breathing techniques, chamomile tea, and yes a nice long walk at the end of a stressful day (and the beginning actually) are all things to help you relax.  Walking has longer term effects on your body through the day as does Yoga–neither is costly.

So if you missed wearing red yesterday as I did, don’t feel too bad.  Mostly what Go Red For Women wants to see is a change in our lifestyles so we can live longer healthier lives.  (But you can still wear red if you want).  Be healthy!

***And next year just remember that National Go Red For Women day is always the first Friday in February. (and remind me too if you think of it!)