Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the number killer of women in the US? That means 1 in 3 women are dying of heart disease nearly every minute.
But it doesn’t affect all women in the same ways, and the warning signs for women aren’t the same in men. Even more importantly, these stats are only the tip of the iceberg.
“This is not just a white man’s disease anymore,” says American Heart Association spokesperson and Go Red for Women ambassador Star Jones. “I am the face of heart disease because I almost died from it.”
Her story is not unlike many other women’s.
The former View host was at the top of her game professionally and physically in 2010 or so she thought.
“After having my weight loss surgery and losing over 100 pounds, I thought my days of having physical challenges were over,” she said. “It wasn’t until I started experiencing some physical discomfort in her stomach and chest and went to the hospital did my doctor tell me my heart was essentially failing.”
Jones underwent bypass surgery immediately after the diagnosis and was forever changed as a result. She said although she was shocked at the sudden turn in her health, she shouldn’t have been.
“What people don’t realize is that just because you’re not sick, doesn’t mean you’re healthy,” she said.
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After a family history littered with heart problems, she knew she had to make some changes in order to live the life she wanted. She also realized she needed to spread the word to other women as well.
“After my bypass experience, I immediately contacted the American Heart Association to join forces and raise awareness of this issue,” she said. “The lives of so many women depend on it.”
Women like Darlene Love, another Go Red For Women spokesperson who had a scary brush with heart failure as well.
In 2012, the accomplished singer had a painful stomachache moments before going onstage. Being a consummate professional, she still performed.
“Even though the pain was unlike anything I ever felt, I didn’t think it was serious enough to be concerned about,” Darlene said.
However, her husband thought otherwise and immediately drove her to the hospital. That’s when she was told that she suffered a heart attack while onstage.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I always pictured a heart attack happening the way we all do: a white man, dramatically holding his left arm and chest.”
According to the American Heart Association, there are many misconceptions about heart disease.
“There are several misconceptions about heart disease in women, and they could be putting you at risk. The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red For Women movement advocates for more research and swifter action for women’s heart health for this very reason,” their website reads.
The Go Red for Women movement encourages women to take charge of their health by utilizing the resources that they provide right at our fingertips.
“I always implore women to know their numbers,” said Jones. “Know your body mass BMI [body mass index], blood pressure rating and weight. If it’s not right, go see your doctor.”
As she points out, Medicaid and Medicare cover most wellness checks and will help curate a treatment plan if it’s discovered there are some increased risk factors involved.
“We all want to live a good, long life and this is the way to get started on that.”
For more information on the Go Red for Women movement, visit GoRedForWomen.org
