According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 610,000 people die in the United States annually from heart disease. On top of that, more than 730,000 Americans suffer from a heart attack each year.
In the face of these grim statistics, some have decided to take a stand in an attempt to fight against heart disease. All across the country, individuals and organizations strive to help educate the public about the dangers and risks of heart disease, as well as ways they can help prevent it.
Events are held across the nation that promote heart health and awareness for disease. Some of these events include National "Wear Red" Day on February 6 and the International Stroke Conference from February 10-13, which is held in Nashville. Another event of note, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, is taking place February 7-14.
Some individuals are even making an attempt to bring the fight against heart disease back home to Franklin County. One of these people is Franklin County Extension coordinator Katernia Cole-Coffey.
Originally from Lexington, Cole-Coffey graduated from Lexington High school, where her mother was a teacher since the end of segregation in the 1960s.
For the month of February, Cole-Coffey has partnered with the Foster Grandparents to put on the first annual "Go Red" Luncheon. In addition, Cole-Coffey's sorority is also putting on a luncheon this Saturday, February 13 at the University of North Alabama’s Guillot Center.
“I like putting on big events. I think you can reach more people and then make a combined effort to reach the people in Franklin County and the surrounding areas concerning heart health.” Cole-Coffey said about the events taking place in February.
Even though those partnered with Heart Health Month are concerned with the health of every individual, Cole-Coffey said the focus of her group is primarily the heart health of women.
“We hope that more people will be more aware of issues concerning women and heart health," Cole-Coffey said. "Signs of a heart attack are different for women than they are for men, so we hope that instead of thinking 'Oh, I have indigestion,'and taking a Tums or whatever, we hope they will think 'Okay, I may be having a heart attack. I need to call 911 and get some help.'"
The fact that signs of a heart attack vary based on gender is one that typically goes unnoticed. Famously, a sharp, shooting pain in the left arm is generally shown as a sign of a heart attack, paired with, of course, pain in the chest. However, these symptoms are found primarily in men.
Signs that aren’t as common in men but are usually found in women include pain (in the arms, back, neck and jaw), stomach pain that can be misdiagnosed as indigestion or heart burn, shortness of breath, nausea or lightheadedness, sweating and fatigue. While seemingly average, these symptoms can be warning signs that medical action needs to be taken.
However, not all hope is lost. Simple steps can be taken to improve one’s heart health and prevent heart attacks from occurring. Jean Hester, certified nurse practitioner at the MedExpress Clinic of Littleville, said that heart attacks can be easier to prevent than one might think.
“If you know you have risk factors, then you want to make sure that you keep your blood pressure checked," Hester said. "You want to keep from smoking, try to exercise and eat a low-fat diet. Mainly it’s being active and eating properly, as well as getting your cholesterol checked.”
Heart disease can cause pain beyond that of a heart attack. Thousands of Americans die each year from heart attacks and diseases of the heart, when steps can be taken to prevent them altogether.
Heart Health Month is a way to educate and inform the public about the risks of not caring properly for their heart and can be a useful tool for doctors and organizers alike to bring forth the issues of heart disease.
Cole-Coffey's "Go Red" Luncheon will be held this Saturday, February 13 at the University of North Alabama’s Guillot Center at 12 pm. Tickets are $40. For more information, call the Franklin County Extension Office at 256-332-8880.
