FORT RILEY, Kan. -- More than 100 women donned red outfits in support of heart health awareness Feb. 16 at Riley's Conference Center.
The Fort Riley Officer and Civilian Spouses' Club designed the member luncheon around a "Go Red" theme and included vendor tables with informational displays and merchandise for perusal before the meal. Representatives from Fort Riley fitness centers, Fort Riley Nutrition Care Division and Fort Riley Dental Activity and others were present to provide pamphlets and share the scoop on upcoming classes geared toward women's health.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Vishwanatha Nadig, the Heart Institute, Mercy Regional Health Center, Manhattan, told attendees that more women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Nadig gave a presentation that incorporated several videos about the importance of cardiovascular health and how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Coronary heart disease is the number one killer in women, Nadig said. Ten times more women die of CHD than breast cancer -- that's one in two women with CHD versus one in 25 with breast cancer, he said.
Unfortunately, he said, heart disease in women is more likely to be misdiagnosed, and females are less likely to get help quickly during a heart attack. About 9,000 women younger than 45 sustain a heart attack each year. Today, heart disease is the number one killer of American women, Nadig revealed.
Regular physical activity, healthy diet, weight management, tobacco cessation and limited alcohol intake are some of the ways women can reduce their risks of heart disease, Nadig said.
In addition to the presentation, $145 was presented to Operation Homefront, OCSC's charity of the month.
For more information on women's heart health, visit www.goredforwomen.com
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