February Marks Heart Month, Together…We Can Make Death Wait!

 By Saudia Mohamed

“Death loves women. Make death wait!” 

– The Heart & Stroke Foundation

The Heart and Stroke Foundation Campaign, Make Death Wait, is designed to raise awareness of heart disease among women. Their goal is to reduce deaths due to heart disease and stroke by 25% by 2020 which is close to 25,000 lives that could be saved every year. We have a few days left in February to stop strokes from happening every 10 minutes. Every action you take will contribute to supporting this campaign, and those affected by this disease.

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Heart disease and stroke is the #1 killer of Canadian women and February is known as “Heart Month,” a concept inspired by a fundraiser proposed in British Columbia originally called, “Heart Sunday.” This thoughtful perception was implemented in the mid 1950’s in British Columbia, and in Ontario in 1958, and from that point forward it has grown all across the country and has been raising awareness for women with heart disease.   

The medical term used for heart disease can also be categorized as cardiovascular disease, which is the disease affecting the heart or blood vessels, this disease includes, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, shock, endocarditic, diseases of the aorta and its branches, disorders of the peripheral vascular system and congenital heart disease.

About half a million women die of heart disease each year, and more women die from cardiovascular disease than men, and doctors still do not know why. Here are some leading factors that can lead to heart disease:

• Family history
• Being overweight or obese
• Sedentary lifestyle (little to no exercise)
• Smoking or using tobacco products
• High blood pressure
• High total cholesterol, and/or low HDL cholesterol
• A diagnosis of diabetes
• A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome
• Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels
• Using birth control pills, especially if you are also a smoker

Most of these risk factors are controllable; more women are dying from heart disease and stroke every year due to poor lifestyle choices.

The most common heart attack symptom in women is pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it’s not always severe or even the most prominent symptom. Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:

• Neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue

Take action now!
Together we can Make Death Wait. 1 in 3 Canadians will lose their lives before their time if you do not take action! But you can help change these statistics. There is always room for improvement for a loved one’s life, our parents, brothers, sisters, children and friends. By donating to the Heart & Stroke Foundation it can really make a huge difference for someone.

Spread the word in a meaningful way and help raise awareness of heart disease and stroke by donating today.

Statistics are just numbers until they’re about someone important to you. So far the Heart and Stroke Foundation has had positive feedback from you, 44,291 people who joined this cause, 139,647 healthy actions taken, 59,860 shares, $966,263 raised, and 518,320 actions against death! Please continue to make these numbers rise.

Here is a Special Message from The Heart & Stroke Foundation:

Millions of Canadians are still at risk, and will be, for generations to come. More than 50,000 strokes, 70,000 heart attacks and up to 45,000 cardiac arrests occur every year:

• The incidence of stroke is expected to double in the next 10 years
• Canadian children are the first generation poised for shorter lives than their parents
• $20.9 billion is spent annually on heart disease and stroke

OUR GOALS ARE CLEAR

Our short-term goal is to have Canadians take 1,000,000 actions by the end of February 2012 to Make Death Wait. These range from simple lifestyle changes like preparing a heart-healthy meal or going for a walk to quitting smoking.

Our long-term goal is reduce deaths due to heart disease and stroke by 25% by 2020. That represents almost 25,000 lives saved each and every year.

DONATE TODAY
Just fifty years ago, 1 in 2 Canadians died as a result of cardiovascular disease. Today, that number has been reduced to 1 in 3. This was made possible, in part, by advances in research – research funded by the generosity of people like you.

But almost 70,000 Canadians still die every year from heart disease and stroke. We need your help, and for a limited time Danacol will triple your donation. Your gift of $50 triples to $150. A gift of $100 triples to $300. A gift of $250 instantly becomes $750!

Heart disease and stroke take 1 in 3 before their time. Please DONATE NOW and Make Death Wait at the Heart & Stroke Foundation website.

Please make a difference by contributing towards this cause, help save a life by donating to The Heart & Stroke Foundation – Make Death Wait.