WHAT?

The American Heart Association is accepting nominations for “100 Women with Heart” to be comprised of 100 or more ethnic women as a part of the AHA GRFW campaign.

The Go Red For Women campaign is the AHA’s national movement to make women aware of their risk for heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death among women.  The campaign also offers women action that can be taken to reduce risk.

WHO?

The nominees should be women who are motivators, innovators, and who are concerned with the health and well being of the ethnic community.  This group will be charged with educating women in their church, organization and community about heart disease and how to reduce risk factors.  We want to capture the energy, passion and power of women to affect the community.  Nominate yourself or someone else today!

WHY?

• African-Americans are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than Caucasians. 
• African-American males and females have higher death rates from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than white males and females.
• About 49 percent of black women have cardiovascular diseases High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. 46.6 percent of black females age 20 and older have high blood pressure.
• Among black females ages 20 and older, 79.6 percent are overweight and obese.
• Physical inactivity is more prevalent among African Americans than Caucasians.  Among black women, 45.9 percent are considered regularly active.
• Of people 18 and older, 17.3 percent of black females smoke, putting themselves at increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Source:  American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2008 Update