I had the great pleasure of attending the Go Red for Women event on February 17th hosted by the American Heart Association. I am proud to be a Circle of Red donor personally and that Alaska Wealth Advisors is a sponsor of this important event. Our goal is to reduce the rate of fatal heart attacks in women, the number one killer of women in America. Here are the three initiatives that resonate with me personally:
Commitment to heart healthy habits. Lowering my own risk of heart disease including “knowing my numbers” through a health fair screening annually.
Raising awareness of heart attack symptoms in women. These differ from the better-known symptoms of male heart attacks, and we should know these for ourselves and the women in our lives. (Jaw pain is the symptom that has always surprised me in this list.)
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
- As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.
Learning CPR. Every attendee was given the opportunity to learn hands-only CPR or get a refresher. Did you know that women who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders? This is, in part, rooted in the fear of being accused of touching a woman in public and in the perception that heart attacks are a male issue.
Go Red for Women is an inspiring event and encourages everyone to get this basic, easy CPR training.
At the luncheon they introduced a local woman who performed CPR on her husband for 15 minutes until an ambulance arrived and saved his life. Also, a local man who performed CPR on his wife while his 9-year-old son got emergency help and together they saved her life.
I am proud to say that the program was so moving and the work so important that 100% of our table donated to the American Heart Association at the event.
Marietta “Ed” Hall, CFP®
Senior Financial Advisor
2/21/23
