G: Get your numbers
O: Own your lifestyle
R: Realize your risk
E: Educate your family
D: Don’t be silent
CGH CCU staff is ready to Go Red in February!
Back row: Julie Egan, Brailey Johnson, Jayden Veracini, Heather Trotter
Front row: Renee Stach
Sterling, IL (January 30, 2018) Did you know that every 80 seconds a woman dies from cardiovascular disease? That means 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke each year, compared to 1 in 31 dying from breast cancer.
The national day, February 2, sponsored by the American Heart Association, draws attention to the fact that more women are dying now from heart disease than men. The good news is that 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.
In honor of Wear Red Day on Friday, February 2, all CGHers are invited to wear red. Special red t-shirts have been sold and are still available to the public through the CGH Health Foundation for wearing these shirts during February. Please call 815.625.0400, ext. 5575 for more information.
“By going red in your own life, women and men alike can make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of heart attack,” said Sherry DeWalt, CGH Health Foundation Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator and ACE Certified Health Coach. “Just knowing your numbers could save your life. Keep blood pressure in check, cholesterol low, weight reasonable, and activity up. And, don’t smoke!”
But it doesn’t affect all women alike, and the warning signs for women aren’t the same in men. There are several misconceptions about heart disease in women, and they could be putting you at risk. What’s more: These facts only begin to scratch the surface. Go Red For Women is a national movement to convince women to learn the most critical numbers in their life: blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), blood sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI).
February is Heart Month and CGH has several heart happenings to keep you heart healthy this month.
Get your numbers with free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings provided by the CGH Health Foundation. These are free and do not require fasting. Thursday February 1, 8 am – 9:30 am, CGH Main Clinic Lobby; Thursday, February 8, 11:30 am – 1 pm, CGH Medical Center lobby; Thursday, February 15, 3 pm – 4:30 pm, County Market, Sterling; and Friday February 16, 8 am to 9:30 am, Westwood Fitness & Sports Center.
Or for $30, get your total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, glucose, blood pressure and health information at the February 22 Cholesterol and Glucose screening. A 12 hour fast and appointment is necessary for this event. Call 815-625-0400, ext. 5716 to make an appointment.
The public is invited to the free Growing Healthier program on Tuesday, February 22 at 6 pm in the CGH Ryberg Auditorium, located at 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling. Dr. Ismaila Bello, CGH Cardiologist will be presenting, “Prevention of Heart Disease.” To register for this free heart event, please visit cghmc.com/growinghealthier or call (815) 625-0400, ext. 5716.
During the month of February, the CGH Fresh Café will be offering heart healthy options sponsored by the CGH Health Foundation. The public is invited to try these specials:
February 5 – 9th will feature Heart Healthy options from our Heart Healthy Menu (just look for the red heart on the menu.)
February 12-16 is Eat Red week – featuring various red food items in the cafeteria.
February 19 – 23 – “Lettuce (Let us) sponsor your salad” featuring a $1 discount on your salad bar purchase. For more information visit cghmc.com
CGH Home Nursing will be presenting a free health discussion on common problems and common solutions with heart disease on Wednesday, February 14 at 10:45 am at Whiteside County Senior Center.
Together, we can Go Red in February to raise awareness and take action to prevent cardiovascular disease in our community.
-CGH-