I Go Red, You Go Red, We All Go Red!

The weekend is here! The weekend is here!

I know you already know, but I thought I would "yell" for excitement to make sure you really did know the weekend is here.  I love weekends, you do too, right? Ahhh sweet, precious weekends...

Anyway, I am going red!  You are probably thinking, "Um, Celeste, you are already a redhead. There is no need to add any more to it!".  Well, yes, I am a PROUD redhead, but I mean I am going red for women.  What do I mean? Read on...

Did you know that cardiovascular disease claims the lives of over 500,000 American women each year?  Did you know that heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined?  Did you know that over 80% of lives could be saved if women would just make the right choices when it comes to eating, exercise, and smoking?

About three years ago, I went for my yearly physical at my normal family doctor.  She became suddenly concerned when hearing my breathing and my heart beat.  I was then sent to a cardiologist the following week.  After an echo-cardiogram, I found out I indeed have a heart condition- well, two that combined make one.  I will not name it just for my privacy (I guess you could say), but it is one that will only worsen with age.  As I get older, I will have to be on more medications and might possibly need surgery.  It could also cause cardiac arrest and form into chronic heart disease.  I also found out that day that I have the worst lungs in the world... That does not really help my heart problems at all.  Since then, I have made it a priority to eat healthy and exercise regularly.  This past summer, I found out that both my heart condition and lung condition (that play hand in hand) both elevated a level of severeness.  I have difficulty breathing on occasion (especially at higher altitude) and I am supposed to remain as stress-free, healthy, and active as I can.

So, you want to know why I am a MAJOR supporter for heart disease among women?  There you go.  I cannot stress how important this is.  Ladies, you need to get on healthy diets, you need to exercise regularly, and for the love of life, please stop smoking! Take care of your body.  Go to the doctor every year for a physical.  Ask your doctors to check your heart. 

If you do not go to the doctor regularly because of lack of time or money, I get that.  I do.  But, I think your life is much more precious than money or time.  You need to stay healthy!!!  You need to have your heart checked, mammograms done, blood tests taken, and have yearly gynecologist visits.  If that means you have to save every year for just one doctors appointment, DO IT.  If that means you have to take that sick day at work or call in a babysitter to watch your child so that you can go to the doctor, DO IT.

YOU are more important.  YOU need to stay around... For you husband, your kids, you grand kids, your family, your friend, for YOU! 

Join me on February 3rd for National Go Red for Women Day.  Get out your favorite red shirt or dress and show it off!  Get out your red pumps, red hoop earrings, or that bright red lipstick and flaunt it, girl!  Tell your friends about heart disease... Tell everyone you know!  If you can donate financially to this cause, go for it!  If you can give of your time, do that too!  If you really cannot do either right now, put on that red shirt and tell everyone you know! 

To learn more about heart disease and strokes or to find out how to be involved and prevent heart disease, please visit the Go Red for Women website created by the American Heart Association.

We can do this, ladies!  GO RED!


Source for info and image.