Take Control of Your Heart Health and Celebrate National Wear Red Day

Women are caregivers by nature, which means they are typically the ones focusing on others: the meals and laundry, the children’s homework and even tracking family finances. While we at Key applaud this diligence, this February we are urging women to focus on themselves, specifically their heart health, as well.

February is American Heart Month and Friday, February 5 is National Wear Red Day.

At KeyBank, we will be supporting the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women initiative by wearing red on February 5, as well as collecting donations for the AHA. This year, KeyBank’s Pacific Region Executive and Seattle Market President Carol Nelson, is serving as Washington’s Go Red for Women chair, and her leadership makes this issue top of mind and a priority for all KeyBank employees.

We invite you to join us in wearing red and supporting a lifesaving cause.

Every year one out of three women’s deaths are caused by heart disease or stroke. While cardiovascular diseases are the leading killer of women and more deadly than all forms of cancer combined, only about half of women are aware that this is their greatest health risk. The good news is that about 80 percent of cardiac events are preventable by making healthy lifestyle choices.

That’s why it’s important to take time for you, whether it’s going for a walk, taking a yoga class to relieve stress or preparing a healthy meal.

The American Heart Association also recommends that all women schedule a Well Woman Visit. This is your annual visit to the doctor, which includes a physical and a review of you overall health. The goal is to identify serious health concerns, such as heart disease, before they become life threatening.

According to the American Heart Association, Well-Woman Visits are tailored to age, family history, past health history and the need for preventive screenings. Some services – such as checking blood pressure, height, weight, and temperature – will be provided every year. However, other services may only be provided as needed, based on medical and family history.

The Well-Woman Visit is now free under most health plans and Medicare, thanks to the health care law. However, consult with your health plan provider about specific preventive services covered before scheduling a visit. The Well-Woman Visit can be scheduled with your primary care physician, nurse-practitioner or even your OB-GYN.

Like financial wellness, being healthy takes discipline. It also requires having a plan and sticking to it. Have a good and honest discussion with your healthcare provider and stick to recommendations for exercise, medication and other suggestions for reducing your risk for heart disease and stroke.

For more information about women’s heart health, visit GoRedForWomen.org. And be sure to stop by KeyBank to show off your red on National Wear Red Day.

Holly M Gragg manages the Redmond Way Key Center in Redmond.