Women and Children Committee Chair Seeks Greater Awareness of Women’s Heart Disease
(VOORHEES)–Today, National Wear Red Day, Assembly Women and Children Committee Chairwoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) called on New Jerseyans to wear red to raise awareness of the issue of women’s heart disease and the critical importance of taking quick action to reduce deaths from heart attack and stroke.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America,” said Lampitt. “That’s why it’s critically important to raise awareness of lifestyle changes that can reduce one’s risk of heart disease, as well as of knowing what to do in the event of an emergency.”
According to the National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease, heart disease kills nearly one woman every minute in the United States–killing almost five times as many women than will die from breast cancer this year alone. In the past 27 years, more women than men have died annually from heart disease, and women face a 28% higher risk than men of dying within the first year after suffering a heart attack.
“While cardiovascular health can often be improved by increased exercise and a healthy diet, women need to be aware of the symptoms of heart attack and stroke,” said Lampitt. “When a heart attack or stroke strikes, seeking immediate medical treatment is absolutely essential to maximize one’s chances of survival. Knowing the symptoms will help women be better prepared to help themselves and their loved ones at a critical time.”
Signs of a Heart Attack (source: American Heart Association via www.goredforwomen.org)
- 1. 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.
- 2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- 3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- 4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold swear, nausea or lightheadedness
- 5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Signs of a Stroke (source: American Heart Association via www.goredforwomen.org)
- 1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- 2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- 3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- 4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- 5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Women who experience any of these signs or symptoms should seek immediate medical attention by calling 9-1-1.