The Coachella Valley is taking initiative to spread awareness on preventing heart disease
February is National Heart Month and Desert Oasis Healthcare is teaming up with the American Heart Association to help prevent heart disease.
Teresa Hodgkins is a pharmacist with Desert Oasis as well as an American Heart Association volunteer and chair of this year’s Go Red Luncheon that is happening February 21st. We spoke with Teresa and she said, “One in three women die of cardiovascular disease and it’s more deaths than all cancers combined.”
The Go Red for Women luncheon is happening Friday, February 21, 2020 from 10:30am-1:30pm at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in the Ambassador Ballroom. You can RSVP online by February 7th at cvgoredluncheon.heart.org.
While speaking more about the luncheon, Teresa said, “One of the ideas of the go red luncheon is how women help their families make choices.”
This national movement aims to end heart disease and stroke in women.
Symptoms of heart attack can be different for men than for women. Both experience chest pain as their primary symptom of having a heart attack. But, some of the more subtle signs are more common in women, like shortness of breath, sudden nausea, vomiting, and jaw pain.
Heart disease is considered to be the number one killer of women and 80% of cardiovascular disease can actually be prevented.
Teresa pointed out the questions, “Are you overweight or not? What’s your activity level? Are you doing enough activity to help promote a healthy heart, are you eating a heart healthy diet?” She also said, If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you should be doing what you need to do and working with your doctor to make sure those things are in control.
Kristi Wilson is a registered nurse with Desert Oasis Healthcare and has experienced heart problems in her life. She realized she had an abnormally fast heartbeat. Later, understanding this was considered Supra-ventricular tachycardia. Luckily, her doctor told her that she would not die from this condition but it could make her pass out at any moment if not under control. She said, “My concern was I didn't want to pass out someplace where I was by myself or driving. God forbid I hurt somebody else or myself.” There were some complications along the way in trying to fix this problem but now she listens to the signs her body tells her.
Desert Oasis also works with the American Heart Association on the Life is Why movement. Teresa explained, “A lot of us know those things we need to do to have a healthy heart. But WHY do we choose to do those steps on a daily basis.” Kristy Wilson's why, " “I want to be able to enjoy my life with my husband in the retirement age.”
It's also important to remember that heart disease can effect all ages, young and old.
Kristi made sure to mention, “Women don’t stop and always take care of themselves, there is always someone to take care of before... them.”
If you want to help spread awareness during the month of February you can join by wearing red on February 7th, which is National Wear Red Day.
