February 05, 2009

Community Hospital Goes Red for Women February 6

Contact Name:  Lauren Elsensohn
Contact Phone:  831-625-4505
Email:  lauren.elsensohn@chomp.org 

MONTEREY, Calif. — Did you know that each year more women die from heart disease than from cancer? Unfortunately, heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men. Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula partners with the American Heart Association’s "Go Red for Women" campaign to educate women about how heart disease is drastically different for women. Community Hospital will go red by lighting its Cypress tree in the entry plaza on Friday, February 6, at 5 p.m. The tree will be lit every evening during the month of February.

More than 227,000 women die of heart disease each year, five times the number of women who die from breast cancer. With the help of a doctor, every person can learn about risk factors and what can be done today to develop heart-healthful habits. The "Go Red for Women" message is clear — heart disease can be prevented — spread the word and go red.

Heart attack warning signs in men and women can include chest pain with shortness of breath, pain in one or both arms, pain or pressure in your chest, back, neck, jaw, shoulder, or stomach. But there are additional warning signs that can be unique to women: nausea or dizziness without chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness without chest pain, unexplained fatigue, weakness, cold sweats, or paleness, sense of impending doom, discomfort, pain, or pressure between shoulder blades, indigestion or gas-like pain.

Learn more about heart health: Talk with your doctor and find out what services are available in your community. By using these heart-smart health tips, you can improve your heart health:

• Eat foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
• Strengthen your heart with 30-60 minutes of moderate activity at least five days a week. Try brisk walking — all you need is a good pair of walking shoes.
• Manage stress, lose weight, and avoid tobacco and secondhand smoke.
• Know your numbers: triglycerides, total cholesterol, and blood pressure — discuss these with your doctor.