Heart Disease Deaths Continue to Decline in
American Women
On National Wear Red Day, Heart Truth campaign continues to raise
awareness
New York — Heart disease deaths in American women continued
to decline in 2005, and for the first time, have declined six years
consecutively, covering the years 2000-2005, according to newly
analyzed data announced today by the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.
NHLBI experts analyzed preliminary data for 2005, the most recent
year for which data are available. The analysis shows that women
are living longer and healthier lives, and dying of heart disease
at much later ages than in the past years.
In New York City today, The Heart Truth — NHLBI's landmark
heart health awareness campaign for women — rolls out the
red carpet for its Red Dress Collection 2008 Fashion Show — presented
by Diet Coke, with national sponsors Johnson & Johnson, Swarovski,
and partner Bobbi Brown Cosmetics — at Mercedes-Benz Fashion
Week. More than 20 celebrated women will unite with America's top
designers on the runway to showcase the annual collection of one-of-a-kind
Red Dresses and raise awareness of heart disease in women.
"Nothing draws attention like a little red dress, so this
is the Heart Truth's symbol," said First Lady Laura Bush,
official national ambassador of the Heart Truth campaign. "Across
the country, people are rallying around that dress. Women are taking
heart disease more seriously. So are their doctors. And every year
from 2000 to 2005, heart disease deaths among women decreased. "
"This is good progress," Mrs. Bush added. "But
we still want more people to know the Heart Truth. Too many women,
especially African American women, die of heart disease. More than
80 percent of middle-aged women have at least one risk factor and
many of them don't know it."
"Considerable progress continues to be made in the fight
against heart disease in women," said Elizabeth G. Nabel,
M.D., director of NHLBI.
But serious challenges remain — one in four women dies from
heart disease. Women of color have higher rates of some risk factors
for heart disease and are more likely to die of the disease.
"Unfortunately, many women still do not take heart disease
seriously and personally," said Dr. Nabel. "Millions
of women still have one or more risk factors for heart disease,
dramatically increasing their risk of developing heart disease.
In fact, having just one risk factor increases a woman's chance
of developing heart disease twofold."
"I am just delighted that for the sixth year on National
Wear Red Day, the fashion and entertainment industries will join
forces on behalf of The Heart Truth to share an urgent message
to American women about heart health," said Dr. Nabel. "Although
we've helped to dramatically increase awareness among women that
heart disease is their leading cause of death, our mission remains
to educate women about the seriousness of heart disease and inspire
them to take action to reduce their risk."
The Heart Truth effort aims to spread the word that heart disease
is largely preventable. In fact, just by leading a healthy lifestyle — such
as following a heart healthy eating plan, getting regular physical
activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking — Americans
can lower their risk by as much as 82 percent. Risk factors for
heart disease include:
- age (55 or older for women);
- a family history of early heart disease;
- high blood pressure;
- high blood cholesterol;
- diabetes;
- smoking;
- being overweight or obese; and
- being physically inactive.
NHLBI's introduction of The Heart Truth's Red Dress as the national
symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 sparked a
national movement that has united partners to promote the common
goal of a greater awareness of heart disease and better heart health
for all women. The Red Dress is fast becoming one of the most recognizable
health symbols in the United States. About half of women recognize
the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease
and about half of women are aware that heart disease is the No.
1 killer of women.
Walking in this year's Fashion Show are Hollywood leading ladies,
including Allison Janney, Ana Ortiz, Camryn Manheim, Cheryl Hines,
Cicely Tyson, Emma Roberts, Heidi Klum, Jenna Fischer, Joss Stone,
Leighton Meester, Lisa Rinna, Maria Menounos, Mary Lynn Rajskub,
Molly Sims, Rita Moreno, and Sara Ramirez.
Participating designers in the 2008 Collection include Ali Rahimi,
Badgley Mischka, Calvin Klein, Carmen Marc Valvo, Catherine Malandrino,
Daniel Swarovski, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Michael Kors,
Monique L'Huillier, Oscar de la Renta, Rachel Roy, Ralph Lauren,
Tracy Reese, and Zac Posen.
Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, is National Wear Red Day when thousands
of Americans across the country will wear red to unite in the national
movement to give women a personal and urgent reminder about their
risk for heart disease. The day serves as a reminder to every woman
to care for her heart, because heart disease is the #1 killer of
women.
About The Heart Truth
The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign for women about
heart disease sponsored by NHLBI, part of the National Institutes
of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Heart Truth's Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect
their heart health, and inspires them to take action. NHLBI continues
to lead the nation in a landmark heart health awareness movement
that is being embraced by millions who share the common goal of
greater awareness and better heart health for all women.
The Heart Truth partners include: The Office on Women's Health,
Department of Health and Human Services; the American Heart Association;
WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease,
and other organizations committed to the health and well-being
of women. To learn more about The Heart Truth campaign, visit www.hearttruth.gov.
For additional media information, visit www.hearttruthmedia.com.
For downloadable images and photography, please visit www.hearttruth.gov or http://share.hearttruth.com or
email your inquiry to media@hearttruth.org.
Please Note: Participants in The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection
2008 Fashion Show were confirmed at time of release and are subject
to change.
Part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute plans, conducts, and supports research
related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart,
blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The
Institute also administers national health education campaigns on
women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics.
NHLBI press releases and other materials are available online at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's
Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and
Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting
and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research,
and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both
common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and
its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
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