While nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes, cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of one in three women. Each year more women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined.
Because of these startling statistics, St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister, along with five St. Tammany area hospital CEOs , presented the Greater New Orleans American Heart Association with a proclamation declaring February Heart Month throughout the parish and urging the community to take charge of their health.
“The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement is an excellent way to raise awareness about women’s health, and such a motivator for every woman to take action to reduce their risk of disease,” said Brister. “We have so many women who are smart, successful contributors to this wonderful community, we want to engage them all to learn their risks and to take action.”
American Heart Month, a federally designated event, is an ideal time to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends, and communities involved. The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement is the “trusted, passionate, relevant” force for change to end heart disease and stroke in women all over the world.
For 15 years, Go Red for Women has provided a platform for women to come together, raise awareness, fund lifesaving research, advocate for change, and improve the lives of all women everywhere. This spreading of awareness during Heart Month is crucial to move the needle and make everyone aware of the dangers of heart disease, and how they can prevent it. Prior to Go Red for Women, only 30 percent of women knew that heart disease was their greatest health threat. A decade after Go Red for Women launched, close to 56 percent of women recognized this fact, nearly a 90 percent increase in awareness.
Pictured at the proclamation were, left to right, John Hermam - CEO of Ochsner North Shore, and representing Slidell Memorial Hospital, Brittany Gay – Greater New Orleans Area executive director for the American Heart Association, Hiral Patel – CEO of Lakeview Regional Medical Center, St. Tammany Parish President Brister, Joan Coffman – CEO of St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Stephanie Chastain – Northshore director for the American Heart Association, and Scott Boudreaux – CEO of AVALA Health. Not pictured is Kerry Tirman – CEO Of Slidell Memorial Hospital.